Motor Vehicles - Reckless, Negligent, and Aggressive Driving (Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act)
SB 590, titled the "Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act," updates Maryland's penalties for reckless, negligent, and aggressive driving. It directly affects drivers convicted of dangerous driving behaviors, including speeding 30+ mph over the limit (now a 6-point offense), reckless driving (max $1,000 fine or 60 days jail), and negligent driving (max $750 fine). The bill adds specific traffic violations - like running red lights, tailgating, or passing in no-passing zones - as elements that can trigger "aggressive driving" charges when committed in combination (two or more offenses during a single driving event). Key changes include removing outdated sections, renumbering penalty provisions, and clarifying that aggressive driving convictions carry a maximum $1,000 fine. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 27, 2025
Signed May 13, 2025
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4 edits
MODERATE
This bill adds co-sponsors to the legislation and includes a new title referencing the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act. The substantive legal content regarding reckless, negligent, and aggressive driving penalties and definitions remains unchanged from the previous version.
TECHNICAL
Added two additional co-sponsors (Senators Folden, James, Smith, and West) to the bill sponsor list.
Added a new chapter designation and title referencing the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act.
Added committee report and Senate action status indicating the bill was favorably amended and adopted.
Added explanatory text about underlining and strike-through formatting conventions used in the bill.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 28, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 15, 2025
How they voted
43–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 46
Feb 28, 2025
D
Democratic33
90% Yea
R
Republican13
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 13, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 447
executive
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Mar 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred Environment and Transportation
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 15, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (134-0-5)
house of delegates
Mar 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Mar 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (43-0-3)
senate
Jan 27, 2025
Committee
First Reading Judicial Proceedings
upper
5 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Chris West
RRepublican
P
Mary-Dulany James
DDemocratic
P
Nancy King
DDemocratic
P
Will Smith
DDemocratic
P
William Folden
RRepublican
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