‘Why Don't You Give Me Your Home Number?' Seinfeld-Inspired Robocall Bill Pitched in NJ

Telemarketer: Hi, would you be interested in switching over to TMI long distance service?
Jerry: Oh, gee, I can't talk right now. Why don't you give me your home number and I'll call you later?
Telemarketer: Uh, well I'm sorry, we're not allowed to do that.
Jerry: Oh, I guess you don't want people calling you at home.
Telemarketer: No.
Jerry: Well, now you know how I feel. [Jerry hangs up phone]

It was a 15-second interaction that Jerry had with a telemarketer during a season 4 episode of "Seinfeld" that has inspired a new proposal in the New Jersey state legislature to limit telemarketers.

The so-called "Seinfeld Bill" would require telemarketers to not only state their names and what they're selling within 30 seconds but also the names of whom they represent and phone numbers at which to reach them.

"New Jerseyans should know who they’re talking to on the phone and what’s being sold to them by telemarketers," said State Sen. Jon Bramnick, a Republican who proposed the bill. "My legislation requires more transparency from telemarketers and punishes those who lie and misrepresent information on sales calls. If you’re on the up and up, you should have no problem with this bill if you’re a telemarketer."

It would also require telemarketers to display their mailing address on any website that they own and operate, as well as the address of any business they represent on calls, according to Barmnick.

The bill would have to pass the full senate and state assembly before going to Gov. Phil Murphy's desk.