HB 1614 authorizes the Maryland Transportation Authority Police to use lane direction control signal monitoring systems on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to enforce violations of red lane direction signals. It requires District Courts to remit civil penalties collected from these violations directly to the Maryland Transportation Authority instead of the state. The bill amends existing traffic law sections to clarify that penalties from these automated enforcement systems must be paid to the Authority and that recorded images from the systems are admissible as evidence without authentication. This affects drivers using the Chesapeake Bay Bridge who enter lanes with red signals, enabling automated enforcement of lane direction rules.
HB 210 requires Maryland counties and municipalities with automated traffic enforcement programs (like speed cameras or red-light cameras) to submit quarterly reports to the Vision Zero coordinator. These reports must include specific details for each citation issued to out-of-state vehicles, such as license plate numbers, payment status, and whether the citation is past due. The bill, set to take effect October 1, 2026, creates a standardized reporting process to track enforcement against non-resident drivers without changing traffic laws or enforcement practices.
HB 646 requires Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to prioritize a medical provider’s report or referral - not its own assessment - as the main factor in deciding whether to issue, refuse, or cancel a driver’s license for individuals who self-report certain medical conditions. The MVA may still request additional testing for those reporting conditions, and must create an expedited process for issuing learner’s permits to people whose medical conditions have improved but who need to complete driver education or testing. This bill directly affects drivers and applicants who self-report qualifying medical conditions, such as those impacting vision, cognition, or physical ability. It shifts decision-making authority to medical professionals while maintaining MVA flexibility for safety reviews.
HB 34 requires Maryland municipalities to install approved grating systems on all open drainage inlets (with 12-inch or larger openings) that collect stormwater. These systems must prevent large debris entry while allowing water flow and be secured to prevent removal by floodwater or tools. The law applies to both new inlets (during construction) and existing inlets, mandating full installation by June 1, 2027. It directly affects all Maryland municipalities by requiring infrastructure upgrades to improve stormwater management and safety.
Howard County would gain authority to lower speed limits on county highways to a minimum of 15 mph after conducting a traffic and engineering study. The bill prohibits Howard County from implementing new speed monitoring systems (like cameras) to enforce these reduced limits on affected highways. This specifically applies to Howard County highways where speed limits were decreased under this law, with no changes to existing limits for other jurisdictions. The bill modifies Maryland’s transportation code to establish these requirements for Howard County only.
HB 486 designates November 14 each year as "Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day" to honor Ruby Bridges' 1960 integration of an all-white school, and the second Wednesday in October as "Maryland School Pedestrian Awareness Day" to promote safe walking routes to schools. The Maryland State Department of Education must provide free, age-appropriate resources to all public schools, including civil rights lesson plans for Ruby Bridges Day and pedestrian safety materials like lesson plans and walk audit guides for Pedestrian Awareness Day. The bill directly affects Maryland public school systems by requiring state-provided educational tools for these designated days, starting July 1, 2026. It focuses on commemoration and safety education without mandating specific school activities.
HB 177 allows bicycle, play vehicle, and unicycle riders to enter an intersection on a red traffic signal when facing a pedestrian "walk" signal, provided they yield to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection. It directly affects cyclists, children's ride-on toys (like scooters or ride-on cars), and unicycles operating at crosswalks. The bill clarifies that these riders have pedestrian-like rights in crosswalks and on sidewalks (while still yielding to pedestrians), and removes certain existing traffic restrictions. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not change general traffic signal requirements for other road users.
