HB 591 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Wicomico County - Highway Pedestrian Safety Act

HB 591, the Wicomico County Highway Pedestrian Safety Act, prohibits people from standing in roadways, shoulders, median dividers, or intersections in Wicomico County that the county or a local municipality has officially designated as "inherently dangerous" (meaning posing serious injury risk that can't be avoided with ordinary care). The law requires clear, state-compliant traffic signs to be posted before police can issue citations for violations, and it specifically applies only to Wicomico County, not statewide. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026, and does not create new penalties but sets conditions for enforcing existing standing restrictions. It directly affects pedestrians, drivers, and local law enforcement in Wicomico County by clarifying when standing in certain locations is prohibited.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 28, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Wicomico County - Highway Pedestrian Safety Act Third - Wicomico County - Highway Pedestrian Safety Act · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to clarify that 'inherently dangerous' roadways must be identified through a formal process involving consultation with the State Highway Administration. It also added a new requirement that police officers cannot issue citations unless specific signage is installed by the county or municipality, and on state roads, this signage requires explicit approval from the State Highway Administration.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include a formal consultation requirement with the State Highway Administration for identifying dangerous areas and added procedural steps for installing warning signs on state highways.
REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that the county or municipality must consult with the State Highway Administration before designating a roadway as inherently dangerous.

Added a requirement that signs on state highways must receive approval from the State Highway Administration before installation.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a condition that police officers cannot issue citations unless appropriate warning signs are installed by the local authority.

DEFINITION

Modified the definition of 'inherently dangerous' to include the procedural requirement of consultation with the State Highway Administration.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 8, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
9
Committee
6
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 781
executive
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
upper
Mar 23, 2026
Committee
Referred Judicial Proceedings
upper
Mar 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Mar 8, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (132-0-10)
house of delegates
Jan 28, 2026
Committee
First Reading Environment and Transportation
lower
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors