WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 466
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Chapter 466
(Senate Bill 42)
AN ACT concerning
Vehicle Laws – Horse Riding – Helmet Requirement for Minors
FOR the purpose of prohibiting an adult from allowing certain minors to ride a horse on
certain property unless the minor is wearing a helmet that meets certain standards;
and generally relating to helmet requirements and horse riding.
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article – Transportation
Section 11–101 and 11–127
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Transportation
Section 21–104
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Transportation
11–101.
In the Maryland Vehicle Law, the following words have the meanings indicated,
unless the context requires otherwise.
11–127.
“Highway” means:
(1) The entire width between the boundary lines of any way or
thoroughfare of which any part is used by the public for vehicular travel, whether or not
the way or thoroughfare has been dedicated to the public and accepted by any proper
authority; and
(2) For purposes of the application of State laws, the entire width between
the boundary lines of any way or thoroughfare used for purposes of vehicular travel on any
property owned, leased, or controlled by the United States government and located in the
State. Ch. 466 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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21–104.
(a) Every person riding an animal or driving an animal–drawn vehicle on a
roadway has all the rights granted to and is subject to all the duties required of the driver
of a vehicle by this title, except for those provisions of this title that by their very nature
cannot apply.
(b) (1) Except in Charles, Worcester, and St. Mary’s counties, or as provided
in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person may not ride an animal or drive an
animal–drawn vehicle on:
(i) Any divided highway where the posted maximum speed limit is
more than 35 miles per hour; or
(ii) Any controlled access highway.
(2) In Anne Arundel County, a person may ride an animal on any part of a
highway described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, other than on its roadway or
shoulder.
(C) (1) IN THIS SUBSECTION , “HORSE” INCLUDES DONKEYS , MULES, AND
PONIES.
(2) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH ,
THIS SUBSECTION APPL IES ONLY TO HORSE RI DING ON:
1. A HIGHWAY;
2. A PUBLIC HORSE–RIDING PATH OR TRAIL ; OR
3. THE GROUNDS OF A FACI LITY THAT:
A. WHOSE PRIMARY PURPOSE IS EQUESTRIAN
ACTIVITIES; AND
B. THAT SOLICITS OR OFFERS T O THE PUBLIC
RECREATIONAL , EDUCATIONAL , THERAPEUTIC , OR COMPETITIVE EQUESTRIAN
ACTIVITIES.
(II) THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO A MINOR WHO IS:
1. CROSSING A PUBLIC HIG HWAY THAT SEPARATES
PRIVATELY OWNED LAND ;
WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 466
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2. ENGAGED IN AN AGRICUL TURAL PRACTICE OR
PURSUIT; OR
3. A MEMBER OF AN AMISH OR A MENNONITE
COMMUNITY ; OR
4. RECEIVING THERAPY SER VICES FROM A LICENSE D
MEDICAL PROVIDER AND FOR WHOM THE USE OF AN ALTERNATIVE HELME T IS
NECESSARY, APPROPRIATE , AND IN COMPLIANCE WI TH THE PROFESSIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP INTERNATIONAL ’S GUIDELINES
FOR ALTERNATIVE HELMET USE.
(3) AN ADULT WHO IS PRESE NT AND DIRECTLY SUPE RVISING A
MINOR MAY NOT ALLOW THE MINOR TO RIDE A HORSE UNLESS THE MIN OR IS
WEARING A PROPERLY S ECURED HELMET THAT M EETS OR EXCEEDS THE
STANDARDS OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF TESTING AND MATERIALS FOR
PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR USED IN EQUESTRIAN R IDING.
(4) A VIOLATION OF THIS SU BSECTION INVOLVING A N ADULT
SUPERVISING MULTIPLE MINORS AT THE SAME T IME SHALL BE TREATED AS A
SINGLE VIOLATION .
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, T hat this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2024.
Approved by the Governor, May 9, 2024.