EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0042*
SENATE BILL 42
R2 4lr1432
(PRE–FILED) CF HB 113
By: Senator Kelly
Requested: November 1, 2023
Introduced and read first time: January 10, 2024
Assigned to: Judicial Proceedings
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, without amendments, 6
Article – Transportation 7
Section 11–101 and 11–127 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 10
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 11
Article – Transportation 12
Section 21–104 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 15
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 16
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 17
Article – Transportation 18
11–101. 19
In the Maryland Vehicle Law, the following words have the meanings indicated, 20
unless the context requires otherwise. 21
11–127. 22
“Highway” means: 23 2 SENATE BILL 42
(1) The entire width between the boundary lines of any way or 1
thoroughfare of which any part is used by the public for vehicular travel, whether or not 2
the way or thoroughfare has been dedicated to the public and accepted by any proper 3
authority; and 4
(2) For purposes of the application of State laws, the entire width between 5
the boundary lines of any way or thoroughfare used for purposes of vehicular travel on any 6
property owned, leased, or controlled by the United States government and located in the 7
State. 8
21–104. 9
(a) Every person riding an animal or driving an animal–drawn vehicle on a 10
roadway has all the rights granted to and is subject to all the duties required of the driver 11
of a vehicle by this title, except for those provisions of this title that by their very nature 12
cannot apply. 13
(b) (1) Except in Charles, Worcester, and St. Mary’s counties, or as provided 14
in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person may not ride an animal or drive an 15
animal–drawn vehicle on: 16
(i) Any divided highway where the posted maximum speed limit is 17
more than 35 miles per hour; or 18
(ii) Any controlled access highway. 19
(2) In Anne Arundel County, a person may ride an animal on any part of a 20
highway described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, other than on its roadway or 21
shoulder. 22
(C) (1) IN THIS SUBSECTION , “HORSE” INCLUDES DONKEYS , MULES, AND 23
PONIES. 24
(2) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , 25
THIS SUBSECTION APPL IES ONLY TO HORSE RI DING ON: 26
1. A HIGHWAY; 27
2. A PUBLIC HORSE–RIDING PATH OR TRAIL ; OR 28
3. THE GROUNDS OF A FACI LITY THAT SOLICITS O R 29
OFFERS TO THE PUBLIC RECREATIONAL , EDUCATIONAL , OR COMPETITIVE 30
EQUESTRIAN ACTIVITIE S. 31
(II) THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO A MINOR WHO IS: 32 SENATE BILL 42 3
1. CROSSING A PUBLIC HIG HWAY THAT SEPARATES 1
PRIVATELY OWNED LAND; 2
2. ENGAGED IN AN AGRICUL TURAL PRACTICE OR 3
PURSUIT; OR 4
3. A MEMBER OF AN AMISH OR A MENNONITE 5
COMMUNITY . 6
(3) AN ADULT WHO IS PRESE NT AND DIRECTLY SUPE RVISING A 7
MINOR MAY NOT ALLOW THE MINOR TO RIDE A HORSE UNLESS THE MIN OR IS 8
WEARING A PR OPERLY SECURED HELME T THAT MEETS OR EXCE EDS THE 9
STANDARDS OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF TESTING AND MATERIALS FOR 10
PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR USED IN EQUESTRIAN R IDING. 11
(4) A VIOLATION OF THIS SU BSECTION INVOLVING A N ADULT 12
SUPERVISING MULTIPLE MINORS AT THE SAME T IME SHALL BE TREATED AS A 13
SINGLE VIOLATION . 14
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 15
October 1, 2024. 16