EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*sb0252*
SENATE BILL 252
R5 3lr2035
SB 25/22 – JPR CF HB 360
By: Senators Carozza, West, and James Folden, James, and West
Introduced and read first time: January 25, 2023
Assigned to: Judicial Proceedings
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
Senate action: Adopted
Read second time: March 8, 2023
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Reckless and Negligent Driving – Death of Another – Must–Appear Violation 2
Penalties 3
(Sherry’s and Christian’s Law) 4
FOR the purpose of providing that a person charged with reckless or negligent driving that 5
contributes to an accident that results in the death of another person must appear 6
in court and may not prepay the fine; altering the penalty for reckless driving; and 7
generally relating to reckless and negligent driving. 8
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 9
Article – Transportation 10
Section 21–901.1 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 13
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 14
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 15
Article – Transportation 16
21–901.1. 17
(a) A person is guilty of reckless driving if he drives a motor vehicle: 18
(1) In wanton or willful disregard for the safety of persons or property; or 19 2 SENATE BILL 252
(2) In a manner that indicates a wanton or willful disregard for the safety 1
of persons or property. 2
(b) A person is guilty of negligent driving if he drives a motor vehicle in a careless 3
or imprudent manner that endangers any property or the life or person of any individual. 4
(c) A PERSON CHARGED WITH A VIOLATION OF SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS 5
SECTION THAT CONTRIB UTES TO AN ACCIDENT THAT RESULTS IN THE DEATH OF 6
ANOTHER: 7
(1) MUST APPEAR IN COURT ; AND 8
(2) MAY NOT PREPAY THE FI NE. 9
(D) A person convicted of a violation of subsection (a) of this section is subject to 10
IMPRISONMENT NOT EXC EEDING 5 DAYS OR a fine not exceeding $1,000 OR BOTH. 11
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 12
October 1, 2023. 13
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.