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.
*hb1032*
HOUSE BILL 1032
R5, P1 5lr0881
By: Montgomery County Delegation and Delegate Young
Introduced and read first time: February 3, 2025
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 5, 2025
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Baltimore City and Montgomery County – Stop Sign Monitoring Systems – 2
Authorization 3
MC 4–25 4
FOR the purpose of authorizing the use of stop sign monitoring systems in school zones in 5
Baltimore City and Montgomery County under the pilot program authorized for 6
Prince George’s County, if authorized by local law; establishing that certain 7
provisions of law relating to the inspection of recorded images apply to recorded 8
images produced by a stop sign monitoring system; providing that the owner or 9
driver of a motor vehicle recorded failing to obey a stop sign is subject to a citation 10
and a certain civil penalty under certain circumstances; establishing certain 11
defenses to a charge of an alleged violation recorded by a stop sign monitoring 12
system; prohibiting a contractor administering a stop sign monitoring system from 13
being compensated in a certain manner; and generally relating to the use of stop sign 14
monitoring systems in Baltimore City and Montgomery County. 15
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 16
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 17
Section 4–401(13), 7–302(e)(1)(i), and 10–311(g) 18
Annotated Code of Maryland 19
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 20
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 21
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 22 2 HOUSE BILL 1032
Section 7–302(e)(1) through (4) and 10–311(f) 1
Annotated Code of Maryland 2
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 3
(As enacted by Section 3 of Chapter 678 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024) 4
BY adding to 5
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 6
Section 10–311(f) 7
Annotated Code of Maryland 8
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 9
(As enacted by Section 3 of Chapter 678 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024) 10
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 11
Article – General Provisions 12
Section 4–321 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 15
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 16
Article – Transportation 17
Section 21–707 18
Annotated Code of Maryland 19
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 20
BY adding to repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 21
Article – Transportation 22
Section 21–707.2 21–707.1 23
Annotated Code of Maryland 24
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 25
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 26
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 27
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 28
7–302. 29
(e) (1) (i) A citation issued pursuant to § 21–202.1, § 21–706.1, § 21–707.1, 30
§ 21–707.2, § 21–809, § 21–810, § 21–1134, § 22–612, or § 24–111.3 of the Transportation 31
Article shall provide that the person receiving the citation may elect to stand trial by 32
notifying the issuing agency of the person’s intention to stand trial at least 5 days prior to 33
the date of payment as set forth in the citation. 34
10–311. 35
(g) A recorded image of a motor vehicle produced by a stop sign monitoring system 36
in accordance with § 21–707.1 OR § 21–707.2 of the Transportation Article is admissible 37 HOUSE BILL 1032 3
in a proceeding concerning a civil citation issued under that section for a violation of § 1
21–707 OR § 21–707.2 of the Transportation Article without authentication. 2
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 3
as follows: 4
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 5
7–302. 6
(e) (1) (i) A citation issued pursuant to § 21–202.1, § 21–706.1, § 21–707.2, 7
§ 21–809, § 21–810, § 21–1134, or § 24–111.3 of the Transportation Article shall provide 8
that the person receiving the citation may elect to stand trial by notifying the issuing 9
agency of the person’s intention to stand trial at least 5 days prior to the date of payment 10
as set forth in the citation. 11
(ii) On receipt of the notice to stand trial, the agency shall forward 12
to the District Court having venue a copy of the citation and a copy of the notice from the 13
person who received the citation indicating the person’s intention to stand trial. 14
(iii) On receipt thereof, the District Court shall schedule the case for 15
trial and notify the defendant of the trial date under procedures adopted by the Chief Judge 16
of the District Court. 17
(2) (i) A citation issued as the result of a vehicle height monitoring 18
system, a traffic control signal monitoring system, a speed monitoring system, a work zone 19
speed control system OR A STOP SIGN MONIT ORING SYSTEM controlled by a political 20
subdivision, a school bus monitoring camera, or a bus lane monitoring system shall provide 21
that, in an uncontested case, the penalty shall be paid directly to that political subdivision. 22
(ii) A citation issued as the result of a traffic control signal 23
monitoring system or a work zone speed control system controlled by a State agency, or as 24
a result of a vehicle height monitoring system, a traffic control signal monitoring system, a 25
speed monitoring system, A STOP SIGN MONITORI NG SYSTEM, a school bus monitoring 26
camera, or a bus lane monitoring system in a case contested in District Court, shall provide 27
that the penalty shall be paid directly to the District Court. 28
(3) Civil penalties resulting from citations issued using a vehicle height 29
monitoring system, traffic control signal monitoring system, speed monitoring system, 30
work zone speed control system, STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEM, school bus monitoring 31
camera, or bus lane monitoring system that are collected by the District Court shall be 32
collected in accordance with subsection (a) of this section and distributed in accordance 33
with § 12–118 of the Transportation Article. 34
(4) (i) Except as provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection, from the 35
fines collected by a political subdivision as a result of violations enforced by speed 36 4 HOUSE BILL 1032
monitoring systems, work zone speed control systems, STOP SIGN MONITORING 1
SYSTEMS, school bus monitoring cameras, or bus lane monitoring systems, a political 2
subdivision: 3
1. May recover the costs of implementing and administering 4
the speed monitoring systems, work zone speed control systems, school bus monitoring 5
cameras, or bus lane monitoring systems; and 6
2. Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, may spend 7
any remaining balance solely for public safety purposes, including pedestrian or highway 8
safety programs. 9
(ii) 1. For any fiscal year, if the balance remaining from the fines 10
collected by a political subdivision as a result of violations enforced by speed monitoring 11
systems, after the costs of implementing and administering the systems are recovered in 12
accordance with subparagraph (i)1 of this paragraph, is greater than 10% of the total 13
revenues of the political subdivision for the fiscal year, the political subdivision shall remit 14
any funds that exceed 10% of the total revenues to the Comptroller. 15
2. The Comptroller shall deposit any money remitted under 16
this subparagraph to the General Fund of the State. 17
10–311. 18
(F) A RECORDED IMAGE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE PROD UCED BY A STOP SIGN 19
MONITORING SYSTEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 21–707.2 OF THE TRANSPORTATION 20
ARTICLE IS ADMISSIBLE IN A PROCEEDING CONC ERNING A CIVIL CITAT ION ISSUED 21
UNDER THAT SECTION F OR A VIOLATION OF § 21–707.2 OF THE TRANSPORTATION 22
ARTICLE WITHOUT AUTHE NTICATION. 23
[(f)] (G) In any other judicial proceeding, a recorded image produced by a vehicle 24
height monitoring system, traffic control signal monitoring system, speed monitoring 25
system, work zone speed control system, STOP SIGN MONI TORING SYSTEM , school bus 26
monitoring camera, or bus lane monitoring system is admissible as otherwise provided by 27
law. 28
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 29
as follows: 30
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 31
4–401. 32
Except as provided in § 4–402 of this subtitle, and subject to the venue provisions of 33
Title 6 of this article, the District Court has exclusive original civil jurisdiction in: 34
HOUSE BILL 1032 5
(13) A proceeding for a civil infraction under § 21–202.1, § 21–704.1, § 1
21–706.1, § 21–707.1, § 21–707.2, § 21–809, § 21–810, § 21–1134, § 22–612, or § 24–111.3 2
of the Transportation Article or § 10–112 of the Criminal Law Article; 3
Article – General Provisions 4
4–321. 5
(a) In this section, “recorded images” has the meaning stated in § 21–202.1, § 6
21–707.2, § 21–809, § 21–810, or § 24–111.3 of the Transportation Article. 7
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a custodian shall deny 8
inspection of recorded images produced by: 9
(1) a traffic control signal monitoring system operated under § 21–202.1 of 10
the Transportation Article; 11
(2) A STOP SIGN MONITORI NG SYSTEM OPERATED U NDER § 21–707.2 12
OF THE TRANSPORTATION ARTICLE; 13
(3) a speed monitoring system operated under § 21 –809 of the 14
Transportation Article; 15
[(3)] (4) a work zone speed control system operated under § 21–810 of the 16
Transportation Article; or 17
[(4)] (5) a vehicle height monitoring system operated under § 24–111.3 of 18
the Transportation Article. 19
(c) A custodian shall allow inspection of recorded images: 20
(1) as required in § 21–202.1, § 21–707.2, § 21–809, § 21–810, or § 21
24–111.3 of the Transportation Article; 22
(2) by any person issued a citation under § 21–202.1, § 21–707.2, § 23
21–809, § 21–810, or § 24–111.3 of the Transportation Article, or by an attorney of record 24
for the person; or 25
(3) by an employee or agent of an agency in an investigation or a proceeding 26
relating to the imposition of or indemnification from civil liability under § 21–202.1, § 27
21–707.2, § 21–809, § 21–810, or § 24–111.3 of the Transportation Article. 28
Article – Transportation 29
21–707. 30
6 HOUSE BILL 1032
(a) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic control signal, the driver 1
of a vehicle approaching a stop sign at an intersection shall stop at the near side of the 2
intersection at a clearly marked stop line. 3
(b) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic control signal, the driver 4
of a vehicle approaching a stop sign at an intersection shall stop at the near side of the 5
intersection and, if there is no clearly marked stop line, before entering any crosswalk. 6
(c) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic control signal, the driver 7
of a vehicle approaching a stop sign at an intersection shall stop at the near side of an 8
intersection and, if there is no crosswalk, at the nearest point before entering the 9
intersection that gives the driver a view of traffic approaching on the intersecting roadway. 10
(d) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign at an intersection, if required 11
for safety to stop, shall stop at the near side of the intersection at a clearly marked stop 12
line. 13
(e) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign at an intersection, if required 14
for safety to stop, shall stop at the near side of the intersection and, if there is no clearly 15
marked stop line, before entering any crosswalk. 16
(f) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign at an intersection, if required 17
for safety to stop, shall stop at the near side of the intersection and, if there is no crosswalk, 18
at the nearest point before entering the intersection that gives the driver a view of traffic 19
approaching on the intersecting roadway. 20
21–707.2. 21
(A) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 22
(B) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 23
INDICATED. 24
(2) “AGENCY” MEANS A LAW ENFORCEM ENT AGENCY THAT IS 25
AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE A CITATION FOR A VIO LATION OF THE MARYLAND VEHICLE 26
LAW OR OF LOCAL TRAFF IC LAWS OR REGULATIO NS. 27
(3) (I) “OWNER” MEANS THE REGISTERED OWNER OF A MOTOR 28
VEHICLE OR LESSEE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE UNDE R A LEASE OF 6 MONTHS OR MORE . 29
(II) “OWNER” DOES NOT INCLUDE : 30
1. A MOTOR VEHICLE LEASIN G COMPANY; OR 31
2. A HOLDER OF A SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATE 32
ISSUED UNDER TITLE 13, SUBTITLE 9, PART III OF THIS ARTICLE. 33 HOUSE BILL 1032 7
(4) “RECORDED IMAGE ” MEANS IMAGES RECORDE D BY A STOP SIGN 1
MONITORING SYSTEM : 2
(I) ON: 3
1. TWO OR MORE PHOTOGRAP HS; 4
2. TWO OR MORE MICROPHOT OGRAPHS; 5
3. TWO OR MORE ELECTRONI C IMAGES; 6
4. VIDEOTAPE; OR 7
5. ANY OTHER MEDIUM ; AND 8
(II) SHOWING A MOTOR VEHIC LE AND, ON AT LEAST ONE IMAG E 9
OR PORTION OF TAPE , CLEARLY IDENTIFYING THE REGISTRATION PLA TE NUMBER 10
OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE . 11
(5) “STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEM” MEANS A DEVICE DESIG NED 12
TO CAPTURE A RECORDE D IMAGE OF A VIOLATION. 13
(6) (I) “VIOLATION” MEANS A FAILURE TO C OME TO A COMPLETE 14
STOP AT A STOP SIGN IN VIOLATION OF § 21–707 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 15
(II) “VIOLATION” DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY ACTION A DRIVER IS 16
INSTRUCTED TO TAKE B Y A POLICE OFFICER . 17
(C) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPHS (2) THROUGH (4) OF THIS 18
SUBSECTION, AN AGENCY MAY USE ST OP SIGN MONITORING S YSTEMS: 19
(I) ON HIGHWAYS LOCATED I N A SCHOOL ZONE MAIN TAINED BY 20
A LOCAL JURISDICTION , IF AUTHORIZED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF TH E LOCAL 21
JURISDICTION; OR 22
(II) ON STATE HIGHWAYS LOCATE D IN A SCHOOL ZONE , IF 23
AUTHORIZED BY THE STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION . 24
(2) A STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEM MAY NOT BE US ED IN A LOCAL 25
JURISDICTION UNDER T HIS SECTION UNLESS I TS USE IS AUTHORIZED BY THE 26
GOVERNING BODY OF TH E LOCAL JURI SDICTION BY LOCAL LA W ENACTED AFTER 27
REASONABLE NOTICE AN D A PUBLIC HEARING . 28
8 HOUSE BILL 1032
(3) BEFORE BEGINNING USE OF STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEMS , 1
AN AGENCY SHALL PUBL ISH NOTICE THAT THE AGENCY HAS ADOPTED T HE USE OF 2
STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEMS ON ITS WEBSI TE. 3
(4) (I) THE COUNTY SHALL PROM INENTLY PLACE SIGNS ON 4
HIGHWAYS WITHIN THE COUNTY PROVIDING NOT ICE THAT STOP SIGN MONITORING 5
SYSTEMS ARE USED IN THE COUNTY. 6
(II) THE STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION SHALL PLACE 7
SIGNS PROMINENTLY PR OVIDING NOTICE THAT STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEMS 8
ARE IN USE ON STATE HIGHWAYS . 9
(D) A RECORDED IMAGE UNDER THIS SECTION INDICAT ING THAT THE 10
DRIVER OF A MOTOR VE HICLE HAS COMMITTED A VIOLATION SHALL IN CLUDE: 11
(1) THE TIME AND DATE OF THE VIOLATION; AND 12
(2) TO THE EXTENT POSSIBL E, THE LOCATION OF THE VIOLATION. 13
(E) (1) UNLESS THE DRIVER OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE RE CEIVED A 14
CITATION FROM A POLI CE OFFICER AT THE TI ME OF THE VIOLATION , THE OWNER 15
OR, IN ACCORDANCE WITH S UBSECTION (F)(3) OR (H)(4) OR (5) OF THIS SECTION , 16
THE DRIVER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE IS SUB JECT TO A CIVIL PENA LTY IF THE MOTOR 17
VEHICLE IS RECORDED BY A STOP SIGN MONIT ORING SYSTEM DURING THE 18
COMMISSION OF A VIOL ATION. 19
(2) A CIVIL PENALTY UNDER THIS SUBSECTION MAY NOT EXCEED $40. 20
(3) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE DISTRICT COURT SHALL 21
PRESCRIBE: 22
(I) A UNIFORM CITATION FOR M CONSISTENT WITH 23
SUBSECTION (F)(1) OF THIS SECTION AND § 7–302 OF THE COURTS ARTICLE; AND 24
(II) A CIVIL PENALTY , WHICH SHALL BE INDIC ATED ON THE 25
CITATION, TO BE PAID BY PERSON S WHO CHOOSE TO PREPAY THE CIVIL PEN ALTY 26
WITHOUT APPEARING IN DISTRICT COURT. 27
(F) (1) SUBJECT TO THE PROVIS IONS OF PARAGRAPHS (2) THROUGH (5) 28
OF THIS SUBSECTION , AN AGENCY SHALL MAIL TO THE OWNER LIABLE UNDER 29
SUBSECTION (E) OF THIS SECTION A CI TATION THAT SHALL IN CLUDE: 30
(I) THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE REGISTERED OW NER OF 31
THE MOTOR VEHICLE ; 32 HOUSE BILL 1032 9
(II) THE REGISTRATION NUMB ER OF THE MOTOR VEHI CLE 1
INVOLVED IN THE VIOL ATION; 2
(III) THE VIOLATION CHARGED ; 3
(IV) TO THE EXTENT POSSIBL E, THE LOCATION OF THE 4
VIOLATION; 5
(V) THE DATE AND TIME OF THE VIOLATION; 6
(VI) A COPY OF THE RECORDED IMAGE; 7
(VII) THE AMOUNT OF THE CIV IL PENALTY IMPOSED A ND THE 8
DATE BY WHICH THE CI VIL PENALTY MUST BE PAID; 9
(VIII) A SIGNED STATEMENT BY A TECHNICIAN EMPLOYE D BY THE 10
AGENCY THAT, BASED ON THE INSPECT ION OF THE RECORDED IMAGE, THE MOTOR 11
VEHICLE WAS BEING OP ERATED DURING THE CO MMISSION OF A VIOLAT ION; 12
(IX) A STATEMENT THAT THE R ECORDED IMAGE IS EVI DENCE OF 13
A VIOLATION; AND 14
(X) INFORMATION ADVISING THE PERSON ALLEGED T O BE 15
LIABLE UNDER THIS SE CTION: 16
1. OF THE MANNER AND TIM E IN WHICH LIABILITY AS 17
ALLEGED IN THE CITAT ION MAY BE CONTESTED IN THE DISTRICT COURT; AND 18
2. THAT FAILURE TO PAY T HE CIVIL PENALTY OR TO 19
CONTEST LIABILITY IN A TIMELY MANNER IS A N ADMISSION OF LIABILITY AND MAY 20
RESULT IN REFUSAL OR SUSPENSION OF THE MO TOR VEHICLE REGISTRA TION. 21
(2) THE AGENCY MAY MAIL A WARNING NOTICE IN PL ACE OF A 22
CITATION TO THE OWNE R LIABLE UNDER SUBSE CTION (E) OF THIS SECTION. 23
(3) (I) BEFORE MAILING A CITA TION TO A MOTOR VEHICLE 24
RENTAL COMPANY LIABL E UNDER SUBSECTION (E) OF THIS SECTION , AN AGENCY 25
SHALL MAIL A NOTICE TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE RENTAL COMPANY STATI NG THAT A 26
CITATION WILL BE MAI LED TO THE MOTOR VEH ICLE RENTAL COMPANY UNLESS, 27
WITHIN 45 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE NOTICE, THE MOTOR VEHICLE RE NTAL 28
COMPANY PROVIDES THE AGENCY WITH: 29
10 HOUSE BILL 1032
1. A STATEMENT MADE UNDER OATH THAT STATES THE 1
NAME AND LAST KNOWN MAILING ADDRESS OF T HE INDIVIDUAL DRIVIN G OR 2
RENTING THE MOTOR VE HICLE WHEN THE VIOLA TION OCCURRED ; 3
2. A. A STATEMENT MADE UNDER O ATH THAT 4
STATES THAT THE MOTO R VEHICLE RENTAL COM PANY IS UNABLE TO DE TERMINE 5
WHO WAS DRIVING THE MOTOR VEHICLE AT THE TIME THE VIOLATION O CCURRED 6
BECAUSE THE MOTOR VE HICLE WAS STOLEN AT THE TIME OF THE VIOL ATION; AND 7
B. A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT ASS OCIATED WITH 8
THE MOTOR VEHICLE TH EFT CLAIMED UNDER IT EM A OF THIS ITEM; OR 9
3. PAYMENT FOR THE PENAL TY ASSOCIATED WITH T HE 10
VIOLATION. 11
(II) AN AGENCY MAY NOT MAI L A CITATION TO A MO TOR 12
VEHICLE RENTAL COMPA NY LIABLE UNDER SUBSECTION (E) OF THIS SECTION IF 13
THE MOTOR VEHICLE RE NTAL COMPANY COMPLIE S WITH SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF 14
THIS PARAGRAPH . 15
(4) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION 16
AND SUBSECTION (H)(4) AND (5) OF THIS SECTION, A CITATION ISSUED UN DER THIS 17
SECTION SHALL BE MAIL ED NOT LATER THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER THE ALLE GED 18
VIOLATION. 19
(5) A PERSON WHO RECEIVES A CITATION UNDER PAR AGRAPH (1) OF 20
THIS SUBSECTION MAY : 21
(I) PAY THE CIVIL PENALTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH 22
INSTRUCTIONS ON THE CITATION; OR 23
(II) ELECT TO STAND TRIAL FOR T HE ALLEGED VIOLATION . 24
(G) (1) A CERTIFICATE ALLEGING THAT A VIOLATION OCC URRED, SWORN 25
TO OR AFFIRMED BY A DULY AUTHORIZED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER EMPLOYED 26
BY OR UNDER CONTRACT WITH AN AGENCY , BASED ON THE INSPECT ION OF A 27
RECORDED IMAG E, SHALL BE EVIDENCE OF THE FACTS CONTAINED IN THE 28
CERTIFICATE AND SHAL L BE ADMISSIBLE IN A NY PROCEEDING CONCER NING THE 29
ALLEGED VIOLATION . 30
(2) ADJUDICATION OF LIABI LITY SHALL BE BASED ON 31
PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE. 32
HOUSE BILL 1032 11
(H) (1) THE DISTRICT COURT MAY CONSIDER IN DEFENSE OF A 1
VIOLATION: 2
(I) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THAT 3
THE MOTOR VEHICLE OR REGISTRATION PLATES OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE WERE 4
STOLEN BEFORE THE VI OLATION OCCURRED AND WERE NOT UNDER THE C ONTROL 5
OR POSSESSION OF THE OWNER AT THE TIME OF THE V IOLATION; 6
(II) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 7
EVIDENCE THAT THE PE RSON NAMED IN THE CI TATION WAS NOT OPERA TING THE 8
MOTOR VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE VIOLATIO N; AND 9
(III) ANY OTHER ISSUES AND EVIDENCE THAT THE DISTRICT 10
COURT CONSIDERS PERTI NENT. 11
(2) TO DEMONSTRATE THAT T HE MOTOR VEHICLE OR THE 12
REGISTRATION PLATES WERE STOLEN BEFORE T HE VIOLATION OCCURRE D AND 13
WERE NOT UNDER THE C ONTROL OR POSSESSION OF THE OWNER AT THE TIME OF 14
THE VIOLATION , THE OWNER MUST SUBMI T PROOF THAT A POLICE REPORT ABOUT 15
THE STOLEN MOTOR VEH ICLE OR REGISTRATION PLATES WAS FILED IN A TIMELY 16
MANNER. 17
(3) TO SATISFY THE EVIDEN TIARY BURDEN UNDER P ARAGRAPH 18
(1)(II) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE PERSON NAMED IN THE CITATION SHALL P ROVIDE 19
TO THE DISTRICT COURT EVIDENCE TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE DISTRICT 20
COURT OF WHO WAS OPER ATING THE MOTOR VEHI CLE AT THE TIME OF T HE 21
VIOLATION, INCLUDING, AT A MINIMUM , THE OPERATOR ’S NAME AND CURRENT 22
ADDRESS. 23
(4) (I) THE PROVISIONS OF THI S PARAGRAPH APPLY ON LY TO A 24
CITATION THAT INVOLVE S A CLASS E (TRUCK) VEHICLE WITH A REGIS TERED GROSS 25
WEIGHT OF 26,001 POUNDS OR MORE , CLASS F (TRACTOR) VEHICLE, CLASS G 26
(TRAILER) VEHICLE OPERATED IN COMBINATION WITH A CLASS F (TRACTOR) 27
VEHICLE, OR CLASS P (PASSENGER BUS ) VEHICLE. 28
(II) TO SATISFY THE EVIDEN TIARY BURDEN UNDER 29
PARAGRAPH (1)(II) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE PERSON NAMED IN A CITATION 30
DESCRIBED UNDER SUBP ARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH MA Y PROVIDE TO THE 31
DISTRICT COURT A LETTER , SWORN TO OR AFFIRMED BY THE PERSON AND MA ILED 32
BY CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUE STED, THAT: 33
1. STATES THAT THE PERSO N NAMED IN THE CITAT ION 34
WAS NOT OPERATING TH E MOTOR VEHICLE AT T HE TIME OF THE VIOLA TION; AND 35
12 HOUSE BILL 1032
2. PROVIDES THE NAME , ADDRESS, AND DRIVER ’S 1
LICENSE IDENTIFICATI ON NUMBER OF THE PERSON WHO WAS O PERATING THE 2
MOTOR VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE VIOLATIO N. 3
(5) (I) IF THE DISTRICT COURT FINDS THAT THE PERSON NAMED 4
IN THE CITATION WAS NOT OPERATING THE MO TOR VEHICLE AT THE T IME OF THE 5
VIOLATION OR RECEIVE S EVIDENCE UNDER PAR AGRAPH (4)(II)2 OF THIS 6
SUBSECTION IDENTIFYI NG THE PERSON DRIVIN G THE MOTOR VEHICLE AT THE TIME 7
OF THE VIOLATION, THE CLERK OF COURT S HALL PROVIDE TO THE AGENCY ISSUING 8
THE CITATION A COPY OF ANY EVIDENCE SUBS TANTIATING WHO WAS O PERATING 9
THE MOTOR VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE VIOLATIO N. 10
(II) ON RECEIPT OF SUBSTAN TIATING EVIDENCE FRO M THE 11
DISTRICT COURT UNDER SUBPARAGR APH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , THE AGENCY 12
MAY ISSUE A CITATION AS PROVIDED IN SUBSE CTION (F) OF THIS SECTION TO T HE 13
PERSON WHO THE EVIDE NCE INDICATES W AS OPERATING THE MOT OR VEHICLE AT 14
THE TIME OF THE VIOL ATION. 15
(III) A CITATION ISSUED UNDE R SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 16
PARAGRAPH SHALL BE M AILED NOT LATER THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER RECEIPT OF THE 17
EVIDENCE FROM THE DISTRICT COURT. 18
(I) IF THE CIVIL PENALTY IS NOT PAID AND THE VIOL ATION IS NOT 19
CONTESTED, THE ADMINISTRATION MAY RE FUSE TO REGISTER OR REREGISTER OR 20
MAY SUSPEND THE REGI STRATION OF THE MOTO R VEHICLE. 21
(J) A VIOLATION FOR WHICH A CIVIL PENALTY IS I MPOSED UNDER THIS 22
SECTION: 23
(1) IS NOT A MOVING VIOLATION FOR THE PU RPOSE OF ASSESSING 24
POINTS UNDER § 16–402 OF THIS ARTICLE AND MAY NOT BE RECORDED BY THE 25
ADMINISTRATION ON THE DRIVING RECORD OF TH E OWNER OR DRIVER OF THE 26
MOTOR VEHICLE ; AND 27
(2) MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED IN THE PROVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLE 28
INSURANCE COVERAGE . 29
(K) IN CONSULTATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGEN CIES, THE CHIEF 30
JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT COURT SHALL ADOPT PRO CEDURES FOR THE ISSU ANCE 31
OF CITATIONS, TRIALS FOR VIOLATION S, AND THE COLLECTION O F CIVIL PENALTIES 32
IMPOSED UNDER THIS S ECTION. 33
HOUSE BILL 1032 13
(L) (1) AN AGENCY OR AN AGENT OR A CONTRACTOR DESI GNATED BY THE 1
AGENCY SHALL ADMINIS TER AND PROCESS CIVI L CITATIONS ISSUED U NDER THIS 2
SECTION IN COORDINAT ION WITH THE DISTRICT COURT. 3
(2) IF A CONTRACTOR IN AN Y MANNER OPERATES A STOP SIGN 4
MONITORING SYSTEM OR ADMINISTER S OR PROCESSES CITAT IONS GENERATED BY 5
A STOP SIGN MONITORI NG SYSTEM ON BEHALF OF A LOCAL JURISDICT ION, THE 6
CONTRACTOR ’S FEE MAY NOT BE CON TINGENT ON A PER –TICKET BASIS ON THE 7
NUMBER OF CITATIONS ISSUED OR PAID. 8
21–707.1. 9
(a) This section applies only in BALTIMORE CITY, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, 10
AND Prince George’s County. 11
(b) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 12
(2) “Agency” means a law enforcement agency that is authorized to issue a 13
citation for a violation of the Maryland Vehicle Law or of local traffic laws or regulations. 14
(3) (i) “Owner” means the registered owner of a motor vehicle or lessee 15
of a motor vehicle under a lease of 6 months or more. 16
(ii) “Owner” does not include: 17
1. A motor vehicle leasing company; or 18
2. A holder of a special registration plate issued under Title 19
13, Subtitle 9, Part III of this article. 20
(4) “Recorded image” means images recorded by a stop sign monitoring 21
system: 22
(i) On: 23
1. Two or more photographs; 24
2. Two or more microphotographs; 25
3. Two or more electronic images; 26
4. Videotape; or 27
5. Any other medium; and 28
14 HOUSE BILL 1032
(ii) Showing a motor vehicle and, on at least one image or portion of 1
tape, clearly identifying the registration plate number of the motor vehicle. 2
(5) “Stop sign monitoring system” means a device designed to capture a 3
recorded image of a violation. 4
(6) (i) “Violation” means a failure to come to a complete stop at a stop 5
sign in violation of § 21–707 of this subtitle. 6
(ii) “Violation” does not include any action a driver is instructed to 7
take by a police officer. 8
(c) (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) through (5) of this subsection, an agency may 9
use stop sign monitoring systems: 10
(i) On highways located in a school zone maintained by a local 11
jurisdiction, if authorized by the governing body of the local jurisdiction; or 12
(ii) On State highways located in a school zone, if authorized by the 13
State Highway Administration. 14
(2) A stop sign monitoring system: 15
(i) May not be used in a local jurisdiction under this section unless 16
its use is authorized by the governing body of the local jurisdiction by local law enacted 17
after reasonable notice and a public hearing; and 18
(ii) [May] IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MAY only be used at a 19
location approved by the Prince George’s County Council. 20
(3) [The county] PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY shall prioritize the 21
placement of stop sign monitoring systems within municipalities that have high violation 22
rates. 23
(4) Before beginning use of stop sign monitoring systems, an agency shall 24
publish notice that the agency has adopted the use of stop sign monitoring systems on its 25
website and, IN BALTIMORE CITY AND PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY ONLY , in a 26
newspaper of general circulation in the jurisdiction in which the stop sign monitoring 27
system will be used. 28
(5) (i) [The] A county shall prominently place signs on highways within 29
the county providing notice that stop sign monitoring systems are used in the county. 30
(ii) The State Highway Administration shall place signs prominently 31
providing notice that stop sign monitoring systems are in use on State highways. 32
HOUSE BILL 1032 15
(d) A recorded image under this section indicating that the driver of a motor 1
vehicle has committed a violation shall include: 2
(1) The time and date of the violation; and 3
(2) To the extent possible, the location of the violation. 4
(e) (1) Unless the driver of the motor vehicle received a citation from a police 5
officer at the time of the violation, the owner or, in accordance with subsection (f)(3) or (h)(4) 6
or (5) of this section, the driver of a motor vehicle is subject to a civil penalty if the motor 7
vehicle is recorded by a stop sign monitoring system during the commission of a violation. 8
(2) A civil penalty under this subsection may not exceed $40. 9
(3) For purposes of this section, the District Court shall prescribe: 10
(i) A uniform citation form consistent with subsection (f)(1) of this 11
section and § 7–302 of the Courts Article; and 12
(ii) A civil penalty, which shall be indicated on the citation, to be paid 13
by persons who choose to prepay the civil penalty without appearing in District Court. 14
(f) (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (2) through (5) of this 15
subsection, an agency shall mail to the owner liable under subsection (e) of this section a 16
citation that shall include: 17
(i) The name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle; 18
(ii) The registration PLATE number of the motor vehicle involved in 19
the violation; 20
(iii) The violation charged; 21
(iv) To the extent possible, the location of the violation; 22
(v) The date and time of the violation; 23
(vi) A copy of the recorded image; 24
(vii) The amount of the civil penalty imposed and the date by which 25
the civil penalty must be paid; 26
(viii) A signed statement by a technician employed by the agency that, 27
based on the inspection of the recorded image, the motor vehicle was being operated during 28
the commission of a violation; 29
16 HOUSE BILL 1032
(ix) A statement that the recorded image is evidence of a violation; 1
and 2
(x) Information advising the person alleged to be liable under this 3
section: 4
1. Of the manner and time in which liability as alleged in the 5
citation may be contested in the District Court; and 6
2. That failure to pay the civil penalty or to contest liability 7
in a timely manner is an admission of liability and may result in refusal or suspension of 8
the motor vehicle registration. 9
(2) The agency may mail a warning notice in place of a citation to the owner 10
liable under subsection (e) of this section. 11
(3) (i) Before mailing a citation to a motor vehicle rental company liable 12
under subsection (e) of this section, an agency shall mail a notice to the motor vehicle rental 13
company stating that a citation will be mailed to the motor vehicle rental company unless, 14
within 45 days after receiving the notice, the motor vehicle rental company provides the 15
agency with: 16
1. A statement made under oath that states the name and 17
last known mailing address of the individual driving or renting the motor vehicle when the 18
violation occurred; 19
2. A. A statement made under oath that states that the 20
motor vehicle rental company is unable to determine who was driving the vehicle at the 21
time the violation occurred because the motor vehicle was stolen at the time of the violation; 22
and 23
B. A copy of the police report associated with the motor 24
vehicle theft claimed under item A of this item; or 25
3. Payment for the penalty associated with the violation. 26
(ii) An agency may not mail a citation to a motor vehicle rental 27
company liable under subsection (e) of this section if the motor vehicle rental company 28
complies with subparagraph (i) of this paragraph. 29
(4) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection and subsection 30
(h)(4) and (5) of this section, a citation issued under this section shall be mailed not later 31
than 2 weeks after the alleged violation. 32
(5) A person who receives a citation under paragraph (1) of this subsection 33
may: 34
HOUSE BILL 1032 17
(i) Pay the civil penalty in accordance with instructions on the 1
citation; or 2
(ii) Elect to stand trial for the alleged violation. 3
(g) (1) A certificate alleging that a violation occurred, sworn to or affirmed by 4
a duly authorized law enforcement officer employed by or under contract with an agency, 5
based on the inspection of a recorded image, shall be evidence of the facts contained in the 6
certificate and shall be admissible in any proceeding concerning the alleged violation. 7
(2) Adjudication of liability shall be based on preponderance of the 8
evidence. 9
(h) (1) The District Court may consider in defense of a violation: 10
(i) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, that the motor vehicle 11
or registration plates of the motor vehicle were stolen before the violation occurred and 12
were not under the control or possession of the owner at the time of the violation; 13
(ii) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, evidence that the 14
person named in the citation was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; and 15
(iii) Any other issues and evidence that the District Court considers 16
pertinent. 17
(2) To demonstrate that the motor vehicle or the registration plates were 18
stolen before the violation occurred and were not under the control or possession of the 19
owner at the time of the violation, the owner must submit proof that a police report about 20
the stolen motor vehicle or registration plates was filed in a timely manner. 21
(3) To satisfy the evidentiary burden under paragraph (1)(ii) of this 22
subsection, the person named in the citation shall provide to the District Court evidence to 23
the satisfaction of the District Court of who was operating the vehicle at the time of the 24
violation, including, at a minimum, the operator’s name and current address. 25
(4) (i) The provisions of this paragraph apply only to a citation that 26
involves a Class E (truck) vehicle with a registered gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more, 27
Class F (tractor) vehicle, Class G (trailer) vehicle operated in combination with a Class F 28
(tractor) vehicle, or Class P (passenger bus) vehicle. 29
(ii) To satisfy the evidentiary burden under paragraph (1)(ii) of this 30
subsection, the person named in a citation described under subparagraph (i) of this 31
paragraph may provide to the District Court a letter, sworn to or affirmed by the person 32
and mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, that: 33
1. States that the person named in the citation was not 34
operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; and 35 18 HOUSE BILL 1032
2. Provides the name, address, and dr iver’s license 1
identification number of the person who was operating the vehicle at the time of the 2
violation. 3
(5) (i) If the District Court finds that the person named in the citation 4
was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation or receives evidence under 5
paragraph (4)(ii)2 of this subsection identifying the person driving the vehicle at the time 6
of the violation, the clerk of court shall provide to the agency issuing the citation a copy of 7
any evidence substantiating who was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation. 8
(ii) On receipt of substantiating evidence from the District Court 9
under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the agency may issue a citation as provided in 10
subsection (f) of this section to the person who the evidence indicates was operating the 11
vehicle at the time of the violation. 12
(iii) A citation issued under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph shall 13
be mailed not later than 2 weeks after receipt of the evidence from the District Court. 14
(i) If the civil penalty is not paid and the violation is not contested, the 15
Administration may refuse to register or reregister or may suspend the registration of the 16
motor vehicle. 17
(j) A violation for which a civil penalty is imposed under this section: 18
(1) Is not a moving violation for the purpose of assessing points under § 19
16–402 of this article and may not be recorded by the Administration on the driving record 20
of the owner or driver of the vehicle; and 21
(2) May not be considered in the provision of motor vehicle insurance 22
coverage. 23
(k) In consultation with law enforcement agencies, the Chief Judge of the District 24
Court shall adopt procedures for the issuance of citations, trials for violations, and the 25
collection of civil penalties imposed under this section. 26
(l) (1) An agency or an agent or a contractor designated by the agency shall 27
administer and process civil citations issued under this section in coordination with the 28
District Court. 29
(2) If a contractor in any manner operates a stop sign monitoring system 30
or administers or processes citations generated by a STOP SIGN monitoring system on 31
behalf of a local jurisdiction, the contractor’s fee may not be contingent on a per–ticket basis 32
on the number of citations issued or paid. 33
SECTION 4. 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before December 1, 34
2026 2027, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation shall report to the 35 HOUSE BILL 1032 19
Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General 1
Assembly on: 2
(1) through October 1, 2026 2027: 3
(i) the time period during which stop sign monitoring systems were 4
in use in the county; and 5
(ii) the number of warnings and citations issued as a result of 6
violations recorded by a stop sign monitoring system in the county over the reported time 7
period, by location and date; 8
(2) (i) the costs associated with implementing and operating stop sign 9
monitoring systems; and 10
(ii) the revenue collected on a monthly basis as a result of violations 11
recorded by stop sign monitoring systems; 12
(3) appropriate locations for the deployment of stop sign monitoring 13
systems; 14
(4) the performance and reliability of stop sign monitoring systems used by 15
the county; and 16
(5) the effectiveness of stop sign monitoring systems in reducing violations, 17
crashes, and pedestrian injuries in the county and in areas where the stop sign monitoring 18
systems were implemented and used. 19
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before December 1, 20
2027, the Baltimore City Department of Transportation shall report to the Governor and, 21
in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on: 22
(1) through October 1, 2027: 23
(i) the time period during which stop sign monitoring systems were 24
in use in the city; and 25
(ii) the number of warnings and citations issued as a result of 26
violations recorded by a stop sign monitoring system in the city over the reported time 27
period, by location and date; 28
(2) (i) the costs associated with implementing and operating stop sign 29
monitoring systems; and 30
(ii) the revenue collected on a monthly basis as a result of violations 31
recorded by stop sign monitoring systems; 32
20 HOUSE BILL 1032
(3) appropriate locations for the deployment of stop sign monitoring 1
systems; 2
(4) the performance and reliability of stop sign monitoring systems used by 3
the city; and 4
(5) the effectiveness of stop sign monitoring systems in reducing violations, 5
crashes, and pedestrian injuries in the city and in areas where the stop sign monitoring 6
systems were implemented and used. 7
SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 2 of this Act shall take 8
effect on the taking effect of the termination provision specified in Section 3 of Chapter 678 9
of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024. If that termination provision takes effect, 10
Section 1 of this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be 11
abrogated and of no further force and effect. This Act may not be interpreted to have any 12
effect on that termination provision. 13
SECTION 6. 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That , subject to the provisions 14
of Section 5 of this Act, this Act shall take effect July 1, 2025. It shall remain effective for 15
a period of 5 4 years and, at the end of June 30, 2030 2029, this Act, with no further action 16
required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect. 17
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.