FRANKFORT — Three weeks after Kentucky enacted one of the nation's toughest telemarketing laws, residents have signaled that they're ready to hang up on unsolicited sales pitches.

        Since Gov. Paul Patton signed the law on March 6, the number of names on the “no call” list has nearly tripled, to more than 313,000, said Jennifer Dean, a spokeswoman for the Kentucky Attorney General's Office.

        That list includes the names of 135,000 Kentucky residents who already were on a “no call” list under a law that allowed numerous exemptions and so didn't end the calls altogether.

        “You don't have to reregister,” Ms. Dean said. “Once you're on the list, you're on.”

        The attorney general's office also has sent out 40,000 postcards that must be filled out and returned to that office for addition to the “zero call” list, Ms. Dean said.

        The new telemarketing law, which blocks most unwanted calls, takes effect on July 15. However, the attorney general's office has set a deadline of June 1 for Kentucky residents to get on the initial list. It will be updated every three months.

        People on the list are supposed to be left alone by telemarketers with few exceptions. Calls to collect debts would be allowed, as well as calls from one business to another. Also allowed will be calls from charitable groups soliciting donations that aren't part of a sale. Finally, solicitors can call past or present customers on the list, or anyone who gives permission to contact them.

        Violators face fines of up to $5,000 per violation for the first two offenses under the new law. After that, the penalty becomes a felony for additional violations within a calendar year, carrying a possible prison sentence of one to five years.

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