Transportation (Pedestrian Safety)

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 2, 2026

HB 1227: Prince George's County - Crosswalk Monitoring Systems - Authorization PG 323-26

HB 1227 authorizes Prince George’s County to install crosswalk monitoring systems in school zones to detect drivers failing to yield to pedestrians. It establishes that drivers recorded violating this rule may receive citations and face civil penalties, with fines collected directly by the county for uncontested cases. The bill also prohibits contractors administering these systems from being paid based on violation counts and specifies that penalties for violations recorded by crosswalk systems follow the same procedures as other traffic monitoring systems under Maryland law. This applies specifically to school zone crosswalks in Prince George’s County.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes crosswalk monitoring systems to enforce pedestrian yielding in school zones, directly enhancing transportation safety standards for road infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1421: Task Force to Study Pedestrian and Bicyclist Injuries and Fatalities

HB 1421 establishes a Maryland task force to study pedestrian and bicyclist injuries and fatalities. The task force, composed of state transportation officials and legislative appointees, will examine specific issues like pedestrian visibility challenges (including dark clothing at night), weather impacts on cyclists, and safety actions pedestrians/bicyclists can take. It must submit recommendations to the Governor and legislature by October 1, 2027, on making roadways safer. The bill does not enact new safety laws but creates a study mechanism to inform future policy. The task force expires automatically on September 30, 2028.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes task force to study and improve pedestrian/bicyclist safety on roadways, directly advancing transportation safety through recommended infrastructure changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 938: Anne Arundel, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties - Crosswalk Monitoring Systems

HB 938 authorizes Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis to use crosswalk monitoring systems that record drivers failing to yield to pedestrians. If a driver is caught on camera not stopping for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, they may receive a citation and face a civil penalty. The bill specifies that fines for uncontested violations go directly to the local jurisdiction (county or city), while contested cases send fines to the District Court. It also prohibits contractors from being paid based on the number of citations issued. This bill directly affects drivers in those two jurisdictions who violate crosswalk yielding laws.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes crosswalk monitoring to penalize drivers failing to yield to pedestrians, directly enhancing road safety and pedestrian protection within transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 526: Public Schools - Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day and Maryland School Pedestrian Awareness Day - Establishment

SB 526 designates November 14 each year as "Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day" to commemorate Ruby Bridges' 1960 integration of an all-white New Orleans school, and the second Wednesday in October as "Maryland School Pedestrian Awareness Day" to promote safe walking routes to schools. The bill requires the Maryland State Department of Education to provide public resources to local schools, including age-appropriate lesson plans, discussion guides, and safety materials. For Ruby Bridges Day, resources must cover civil rights and social justice education; for Pedestrian Awareness Day, they must include safety best practices and audit templates. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and affects all Maryland public schools through mandated resource access.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates educational resources (lesson plans, safety materials) for curriculum integration and school safety, enhancing student learning and access to historical education.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPromotes pedestrian safety via designated awareness day and resources for safe school walking routes, aligning with transportation safety initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 26, 2026

HB 1491: Education - Interjurisdictional Safe Pathways Commission - Establishment

HB 1491 establishes the Interjurisdictional Safe Pathways Commission to coordinate and secure funding for safe routes for Maryland public school students traveling to and from school. The commission, made up of state education and transportation officials, school system representatives, local government members, students (including those with IEPs), parents, and infrastructure experts, will identify gaps in existing pathways, evaluate funding options, and develop strategic plans. It must submit annual reports to the governor and legislative committees by December 1st, detailing current conditions, funding opportunities, and recommendations for infrastructure improvements. This bill directly affects public school students, their families, school systems, and local governments responsible for transportation infrastructure.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes commission to secure funding for safe school routes, improving infrastructure and access for students, directly advancing educational access and safety.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes commission to secure funding for safe student pathways (transportation infrastructure/safety), aligning with 'funds transportation projects' and 'enhances transportation safety' indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1296: Preliminary Subdivision and Site Plans – Safe School Route Reports – Requirement

HB 1296 requires developers of new residential projects with at least five homes located within walking distance of a public school to submit a "Safe School Route Report" as part of their preliminary subdivision or site plan. The report must identify affected schools, assess existing pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure, propose safe routes, and detail gaps or hazards like missing sidewalks. This applies to most new housing developments but excludes projects intended as housing for older persons under federal law. Local governments cannot approve such plans without this report, aiming to improve safety for students walking or biking to school.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires safe walking routes for school access, improving student safety and physical access to schools per bill's infrastructure focus85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires assessment of pedestrian infrastructure and safe routes for school access, enhancing transportation safety standards for walking/biking routes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1130: State Highway Administration - Maryland Route 410 (East-West Highway) Pedestrian Safety Action Plan - Expansion

HB 1130 requires the State Highway Administration to expand the existing Maryland Route 410 (East-West Highway) Pedestrian Safety Action Plan to include the segment from Queens Chapel Road east to U.S. Route 1 (Baltimore Avenue) in Prince George's County. This directly affects pedestrians, drivers, and transit users traveling along this corridor, which has experienced serious safety issues including fatal crashes and lacks continuous pedestrian infrastructure. The bill mandates adding this specific highway segment to the current project scope, ensuring continuous safety improvements like sidewalks and crossings along the entire corridor. The expansion aims to align with Vision Zero safety principles and address gaps in the existing plan that left safety measures incomplete. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExpands pedestrian safety infrastructure on highway corridor to address fatal crashes and missing infrastructure, directly enhancing transportation safety95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

HB 1567: Vehicle Laws - Bicycles, Motor Scooters, and EPAMDs - Audible Warnings (Pass Pedestrians Safely Act)

HB 1567, the "Pass Pedestrians Safely Act," requires bicycle, motor scooter, and electric personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD) operators to maintain at least 3 feet of distance when passing pedestrians or vehicles if practicable, and to give an audible warning (like a bell or horn) before passing pedestrians. It directly affects riders of these devices in Maryland by adding specific safety obligations to existing traffic laws. Violations are treated as secondary offenses (only enforceable if another traffic violation is suspected) and carry a $25 civil penalty. The bill amends Maryland’s vehicle code to prioritize pedestrian safety during overtaking maneuvers.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAdds safety requirements for cyclists/scooters to protect pedestrians, enhancing transportation safety standards per bill's mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1504: Highways - Sidewalks and Bicycle Pathways - Construction and Reconstruction (The Honorable Anne Healey Pedestrian Safety Act of 2026)

HB 1504 requires Maryland's State Highway Administration to prioritize funding for sidewalk and bicycle pathway construction/reconstruction on highways with "complete streets" policies or Vision Zero programs. It mandates that local governments request such projects through annual funding letters, with costs typically shared 50-50 between state and local governments unless the project is in a sustainable community (100% state-funded) or addresses a public safety risk (100% state-funded). The bill specifically applies to urban highways defined as those in urban areas with high pedestrian traffic, curb/gutter systems, or within municipal boundaries. This directly affects local governments seeking infrastructure funding and the State Highway Administration managing transportation budgets.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates state funding for sidewalk/bike pathways on highways, prioritizing complete streets and Vision Zero - directly funds transportation infrastructure improvements95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 18, 2026

HB 1086: Montgomery County - Crosswalk Monitoring Systems - Authorization MC 10-26

HB 1086 authorizes Montgomery County to install crosswalk monitoring systems in school zones to detect vehicles failing to yield to pedestrians. Drivers recorded by these systems who do not yield can be cited and fined for violations. Fines collected from these citations go directly to Montgomery County for roadway safety improvements, not to the state. The bill specifically applies to school zone crosswalks and modifies how citations are processed for this enforcement method.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes crosswalk monitoring in school zones to enhance pedestrian safety, with fines funding roadway safety improvements directly related to transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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