EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0020*
HOUSE BILL 20
R2 3lr0442
HB 713/22 – ENT (PRE–FILED)
By: Delegates Lehman, Hill, Kaiser, Pena–Melnyk, Ruth, and Toles
Requested: September 22, 2022
Introduced and read first time: January 11, 2023
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Vehicle Laws – Horse Riding – Helmet Requirement for Minors 2
FOR the purpose of prohibiting an adult from allowing certain minors to ride a horse on 3
certain property unless the minor is wearing a helmet that meets certain standards; 4
and generally relating to helmet requirements and horse riding. 5
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 6
Article – Transportation 7
Section 21–104 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 10
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 11
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 12
Article – Transportation 13
21–104. 14
(a) Every person riding an animal or driving an animal–drawn vehicle on a 15
roadway has all the rights granted to and is subject to all the duties required of the driver 16
of a vehicle by this title, except for those provisions of this title that by their very nature 17
cannot apply. 18
(b) (1) Except in Charles, Worcester, and St. Mary’s counties, or as provided 19
in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person may not ride an animal or drive an 20
animal–drawn vehicle on: 21
(i) Any divided highway where the posted maximum speed limit is 22
more than 35 miles per hour; or 23 2 HOUSE BILL 20
(ii) Any controlled access highway. 1
(2) In Anne Arundel County, a person may ride an animal on any part of a 2
highway described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, other than on its roadway or 3
shoulder. 4
(C) (1) IN THIS SUBSECTION , “HORSE” INCLUDES DONKEYS , MULES, AND 5
PONIES. 6
(2) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , 7
THIS SUBSECTION APPL IES ONLY TO HORSE RI DING ON: 8
1. A HIGHWAY; 9
2. A PUBLIC HORSE–RIDING PATH; OR 10
3. ANY OTHER PROPERTY OP EN TO THE PUBLIC OR 11
USED BY THE PUBLIC F OR PEDESTRIAN OR VEH ICULAR TRAFFIC . 12
(II) THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO A MINOR WHO IS: 13
1. PRACTICING FOR OR COMPETING OR PERF ORMING IN 14
A SHOW OR EVENT WHER E HELMETS ARE NOT HI STORICALLY PART OF THE SHO W OR 15
EVENT; 16
2. CROSSING A PUBLIC HIG HWAY THAT SEPARATES 17
PRIVATELY OWNED LAND ; 18
3. ENGAGED IN AN AGRICUL TURAL PRACTICE OR 19
PURSUIT; OR 20
4. A MEMBER OF AN AMISH OR A MENNONITE 21
COMMUNITY . 22
(3) AN ADULT WHO IS PRESE NT AND DIRECTLY SUPE RVISING A 23
MINOR MAY NOT ALLOW THE MINOR TO RIDE A HORSE UNLESS THE MIN OR IS 24
WEARING A PROPERLY S ECURED HELMET THAT M EETS OR EXCEEDS THE 25
STANDARDS OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF TESTING AND MATERIALS FOR 26
PROTECTIVE HEADG EAR USED IN EQUESTRI AN RIDING. 27
(4) A VIOLATION OF THIS SU BSECTION INVOLVING A N ADULT 28
SUPERVISING MULTIPLE MINORS AT THE SAME T IME SHALL BE TREATED AS A 29
SINGLE VIOLATION . 30
HOUSE BILL 20 3
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 1
October 1, 2023. 2