§15-5-19b. Criminal penalties for using automated telephone calls to disseminate false, misleading or deceptive information regarding matters effecting or effected by a proclaimed state of emergency or state of preparedness.

(a) Any person or entity who, during a state of emergency or state of preparedness declared pursuant to the provisions of section six of this article: (1) Knowingly and willfully disseminates false, misleading or deceptive information regarding matters effecting or effected by the declaration; and (2) by means of an automated telephone call or calling device, including, but not limited to, technology designed to disseminate a previously recorded message shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, be confined in jail for not more than one year or fined not more than $5,000, or both.

(b) For purposes of this section each call made shall constitute a separate violation of this section.