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.
*hb1226*
HOUSE BILL 1226
R5 5lr3377
CF SB 600
By: Delegates Young, Addison, Amprey, Boyce, Edelson, Embry, R. Lewis, Ruff,
and Smith
Introduced and read first time: February 7, 2025
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 22, 2025
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Baltimore City and Takoma Park – Stop Sign Monitoring Systems – 2
Authorization 3
FOR the purpose of authorizing the use of stop sign monitoring systems in school zones in 4
Baltimore City and the City of Takoma Park under the pilot program authorized for 5
Prince George’s County, if authorized by local law; providing that the owner or driver 6
of a motor vehicle recorded failing to obey a stop sign is subject to a citation and a 7
certain civil penalty under certain circumstances; establishing certain defenses to a 8
charge of an alleged violation recorded by a stop sign monitoring system; prohibiting 9
a contractor administering a stop sign monitoring system from being compensated 10
in a certain manner; and generally relating to the use of stop sign monitoring 11
systems in Baltimore City and the City of Takoma Park. 12
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 13
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 14
Section 4–401(13), 7–302(e)(1)(i), and 10–311(g) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 17
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 18
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 19
Section 7–302(e)(1) through (4) and 10–311(f) 20
Annotated Code of Maryland 21
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 22 2 HOUSE BILL 1226
(As enacted by Section 3 of Chapter 678 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024) 1
BY adding to 2
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 3
Section 10–311(f) 4
Annotated Code of Maryland 5
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 6
(As enacted by Section 3 of Chapter 678 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024) 7
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 9
Section 7–302(e)(4)(i) 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 12
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 13
Article – Transportation 14
Section 21–707 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 17
BY adding to repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 18
Article – Transportation 19
Section 21–707.2 21–707.1 20
Annotated Code of Maryland 21
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 22
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 23
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 24
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 25
7–302. 26
(e) (1) (i) A citation issued pursuant to § 21–202.1, § 21–706.1, § 21–707.1, 27
§ 21–707.2, § 21–809, § 21–810, § 21–1134, § 22–612, or § 24–111.3 of the Transportation 28
Article shall provide that the person receiving the citation may elect to stand trial by 29
notifying the issuing agency of the person’s intention to stand trial at least 5 days prior to 30
the date of payment as set forth in the citation. 31
10–311. 32
(g) A recorded image of a motor vehicle produced by a stop sign monitoring system 33
in accordance with § 21–707.1 OR § 21–707.2 of the Transportation Article is admissible 34
in a proceeding concerning a civil citation issued under that section for a violation of § 35
21–707 of the Transportation Article without authentication. 36
HOUSE BILL 1226 3
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 1
as follows: 2
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 3
7–302. 4
(e) (1) (i) A citation issued pursuant to § 21–202.1, § 21–706.1, § 21–707.2, 5
§ 21–809, § 21–810, § 21–1134, or § 24–111.3 of the Transportation Article shall provide 6
that the person receiving the citation may elect to stand trial by notifying the issuing 7
agency of the person’s intention to stand trial at least 5 days prior to the date of payment 8
as set forth in the citation. 9
(ii) On receipt of the notice to stand trial, the agency shall forward 10
to the District Court having venue a copy of the citation and a copy of the notice from the 11
person who received the citation indicating the person’s intention to stand trial. 12
(iii) On receipt thereof, the District Court shall schedule the case for 13
trial and notify the defendant of the trial date under procedures adopted by the Chief Judge 14
of the District Court. 15
(2) (i) A citation issued as the result of a vehicle height monitoring 16
system, a traffic control signal monitoring system, a speed monitoring system, a work zone 17
speed control system OR A STOP SIGN MONIT ORING SYSTEM controlled by a political 18
subdivision, a school bus monitoring camera, or a bus lane monitoring system shall provide 19
that, in an uncontested case, the penalty shall be paid directly to that political subdivision. 20
(ii) A citation issued as the result of a traffic control signal 21
monitoring system or a work zone speed control system controlled by a State agency, or as 22
a result of a vehicle height monitoring system, a traffic control signal monitoring system, a 23
speed monitoring system, A STOP SIGN MONITORI NG SYSTEM, a school bus monitoring 24
camera, or a bus lane monitoring system in a case contested in District Court, shall provide 25
that the penalty shall be paid directly to the District Court. 26
(3) Civil penalties resulting from citations issued using a vehicle height 27
monitoring system, traffic control signal monitoring system, speed monitoring system, 28
work zone speed control system, STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEM, school bus monitoring 29
camera, or bus lane monitoring system that are collected by the District Court shall be 30
collected in accordance with subsection (a) of this section and distributed in accordance 31
with § 12–118 of the Transportation Article. 32
(4) (i) Except as provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection, from the 33
fines collected by a political subdivision as a result of violations enforced by speed 34
monitoring systems, work zone speed control systems, STOP SIGN MONITORING 35
SYSTEMS, school bus monitoring cameras, or bus lane monitoring systems, a political 36
subdivision: 37 4 HOUSE BILL 1226
1. May recover the costs of implementing and administering 1
the speed monitoring systems, work zone speed control systems, STOP SIGN MONITORING 2
SYSTEMS, school bus monitoring cameras, or bus lane monitoring systems; and 3
2. Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, may spend 4
any remaining balance solely for public safety purposes, including pedestrian or highway 5
safety programs. 6
(ii) 1. For any fiscal year, if the balance remaining from the fines 7
collected by a political subdivision as a result of violations enforced by speed monitoring 8
systems, after the costs of implementing and administering the systems are recovered in 9
accordance with subparagraph (i)1 of this paragraph, is greater than 10% of the total 10
revenues of the political subdivision for the fiscal year, the political subdivision shall remit 11
any funds that exceed 10% of the total revenues to the Comptroller. 12
2. The Comptroller shall deposit any money remitted under 13
this subparagraph to the General Fund of the State. 14
10–311. 15
(F) A RECORDED IMAGE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE PRODUC ED BY A STOP SIGN 16
MONITORING SYSTEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 21–707.2 OF THE TRANSPORTATION 17
ARTICLE IS ADMISSIBLE IN A PROCEEDING CONC ERNING A CIVIL CITAT ION ISSUED 18
UNDER THAT SECTION FOR A VIOLATION OF § 21–707.2 OF THE TRANSPORTATION 19
ARTICLE WITHOUT AUTHE NTICATION. 20
[(f)] (G) In any other judicial proceeding, a recorded image produced by a vehicle 21
height monitoring system, traffic control signal monitoring system, speed monitoring 22
system, work zone speed control system, STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEM, school bus 23
monitoring camera, or bus lane monitoring system is admissible as otherwise provided by 24
law. 25
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 26
as follows: 27
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 28
4–401. 29
Except as provided in § 4–402 of this subtitle, and subject to the venue provisions of 30
Title 6 of this article, the District Court has exclusive original civil jurisdiction in: 31
(13) A proceeding for a civil infraction under § 21–202.1, § 21–704.1, § 32
21–706.1, § 21–707.1, § 21–707.2, § 21–809, § 21–810, § 21–1134, § 22–612, or § 24–111.3 33
of the Transportation Article or § 10–112 of the Criminal Law Article; 34 HOUSE BILL 1226 5
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 1
7–302. 2
(e) (4) (i) Except as provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection, from the 3
fines collected by a political subdivision as a result of violations enforced by speed 4
monitoring systems, work zone speed control systems, stop sign monitoring systems, school 5
bus monitoring cameras, bus lane monitoring systems, or noise abatement monitoring 6
systems, a political subdivision: 7
1. May recover the costs of implementing and administering 8
the speed monitoring systems, work zone speed control systems, STOP SIGN MONITORING 9
SYSTEMS, school bus monitoring cameras, bus lane monitoring systems, or noise 10
abatement monitoring systems; and 11
2. Subject to subparagraphs (ii), (iii), and (iv) of this 12
paragraph, may spend any remaining balance solely for public safety purposes, including 13
pedestrian or highway safety programs. 14
Article – Transportation 15
21–707. 16
(a) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic control signal, the driver 17
of a vehicle approaching a stop sign at an intersection shall stop at the near side of the 18
intersection at a clearly marked stop line. 19
(b) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic control signal, the driver 20
of a vehicle approaching a stop sign at an intersection shall stop at the near side of the 21
intersection and, if there is no clearly marked stop line, before entering any crosswalk. 22
(c) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic control signal, the driver 23
of a vehicle approaching a stop sign at an intersection shall stop at the near side of an 24
intersection and, if there is no crosswalk, at the nearest point before entering the 25
intersection that gives the driver a view of traffic approaching on the intersecting roadway. 26
(d) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign at an intersection, if required 27
for safety to stop, shall stop at the near side of the intersection at a clearly marked stop 28
line. 29
(e) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign at an intersection, if required 30
for safety to stop, shall stop at the near side of the intersection and, if there is no clearly 31
marked stop line, before entering any crosswalk. 32
(f) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign at an intersection, if required 33
for safety to stop, shall stop at the near side of the intersection and, if there is no crosswalk, 34 6 HOUSE BILL 1226
at the nearest point before entering the intersection that gives the driver a view of traffic 1
approaching on the intersecting roadway. 2
21–707.2. 3
(A) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY IN BALTIMORE CITY. 4
(B) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWIN G WORDS HAVE THE MEA NINGS 5
INDICATED. 6
(2) “AGENCY” MEANS A LAW ENFORCEM ENT AGENCY THAT IS 7
AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE A CITATION FOR A VIO LATION OF THE MARYLAND VEHICLE 8
LAW OR OF LOCAL TRAFF IC LAWS OR REGULATIO NS. 9
(3) (I) “OWNER” MEANS TH E REGISTERED OWNER O F A MOTOR 10
VEHICLE OR LESSEE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE UNDE R A LEASE OF 6 MONTHS OR MORE . 11
(II) “OWNER” DOES NOT INCLUDE : 12
1. A MOTOR VEHICLE LEASIN G COMPANY; OR 13
2. A HOLDER OF A SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATE 14
ISSUED UNDER TITLE 13, SUBTITLE 9, PART III OF THIS ARTICLE. 15
(4) “RECORDED IMAGE ” MEANS IMAGES RECORDE D BY A STOP SIGN 16
MONITORING SYSTEM : 17
(I) ON: 18
1. TWO OR MORE PHOTOGRAP HS; 19
2. TWO OR MORE MICROPHOT OGRAPHS; 20
3. TWO OR MORE ELECTRONI C IMAGES; 21
4. VIDEOTAPE; OR 22
5. ANY OTHER MEDIUM ; AND 23
(II) SHOWING A MOTOR VEHIC LE AND, ON AT LEAST ONE IMAG E 24
OR PORTION OF TAPE , CLEARLY IDENTIFYING THE REGISTRATION PLA TE NUMBER 25
OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE . 26
(5) “STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEM” MEANS A DEVICE DESIG NED 27
TO CAPTURE A RECORDED IMAGE OF A VIOLATION. 28 HOUSE BILL 1226 7
(6) (I) “VIOLATION” MEANS A FAILURE TO C OME TO A COMPLETE 1
STOP AT A STOP SIGN IN VIOLATION OF § 21–707 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 2
(II) “VIOLATION” DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY ACTION A DRIVER IS 3
INSTRUCTED TO TAKE B Y A POLICE OFFICE R. 4
(C) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPHS (2) THROUGH (4) OF THIS 5
SUBSECTION, AN AGENCY MAY USE ST OP SIGN MONITORING S YSTEMS: 6
(I) ON HIGHWAYS LOCATED I N A SCHOOL ZONE MAIN TAINED BY 7
BALTIMORE CITY, IF AUTHORIZED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE CITY; OR 8
(II) ON STATE HIGHWAYS LOCATE D IN A SCHOOL ZONE , IF 9
AUTHORIZED BY THE STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION . 10
(2) A STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEM MAY NOT BE US ED UNDER THIS 11
SECTION UNLESS ITS U SE IS AUTHORIZED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE 12
CITY BY LOCAL LAW ENA CTED AFTER REASONABLE N OTICE AND A PUBLIC H EARING. 13
(3) BEFORE BEGINNING USE OF STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEMS , 14
AN AGENCY SHALL PUBL ISH NOTICE THAT THE AGENCY HAS ADOPTED T HE USE OF 15
STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEMS ON ITS WEBSI TE AND IN A NEWSPAPE R OF 16
GENERAL CIRCULATION IN BALTIMORE CITY. 17
(4) (I) THE CITY SHALL PROMINENTL Y PLACE SIGNS ON 18
HIGHWAYS WITHIN THE CITY PROVIDING NOTICE THAT STOP SIGN MONITORING 19
SYSTEMS ARE USED IN THE CITY. 20
(II) THE STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION SHALL PLACE 21
SIGNS PROMINENTLY PROVIDING NOTICE THA T STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEMS 22
ARE IN USE ON STATE HIGHWAYS . 23
(D) A RECORDED IMAGE UNDER THIS SECTION INDICAT ING THAT THE 24
DRIVER OF A MOTOR VE HICLE HAS COMMITTED A VIOLATION SHALL IN CLUDE: 25
(1) THE TIME AND DATE OF THE VIOLATION; AND 26
(2) TO THE EXTENT POSSIBL E, THE LOCATION OF THE VIOLATION. 27
(E) (1) UNLESS THE DRIVER OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE RE CEIVED A 28
CITATION FROM A POLI CE OFFICER AT THE TI ME OF THE VIOLATION , THE OWNER 29
OR, IN ACCORDANCE WITH S UBSECTION (F)(3) OR (H)(4) OR (5) OF THIS SECTION, 30
THE DRIVER OF A MOTO R VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO A CIVIL PENALTY I F THE MOTOR 31 8 HOUSE BILL 1226
VEHICLE IS RECORDED BY A STOP SIGN MONIT ORING SYSTEM DURING THE 1
COMMISSION OF A VIOL ATION. 2
(2) A CIVIL PENALTY UNDER THIS SUBSECTION MAY NOT EXCEED $40. 3
(3) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTI ON, THE DISTRICT COURT SHALL 4
PRESCRIBE: 5
(I) A UNIFORM CITATION FOR M CONSISTENT WITH 6
SUBSECTION (F)(1) OF THIS SECTION AND § 7–302 OF THE COURTS ARTICLE; AND 7
(II) A CIVIL PENALTY , WHICH SHALL BE INDIC ATED ON THE 8
CITATION, TO BE PAID BY PERSONS WHO C HOOSE TO PREPAY THE CIVIL PENALTY 9
WITHOUT APPEARING IN DISTRICT COURT. 10
(F) (1) SUBJECT TO THE PROVIS IONS OF PARAGRAPHS (2) THROUGH (5) 11
OF THIS SUBSECTION , AN AGENCY SHALL MAIL TO THE OWNER LIABLE UNDER 12
SUBSECTION (E) OF THIS SECTION A CITATION THAT SHALL INCLUDE: 13
(I) THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE REGISTERED OW NER OF 14
THE MOTOR VEHICLE ; 15
(II) THE REGISTRATION NUMB ER OF THE MOTOR VEHI CLE 16
INVOLVED IN THE VIOL ATION; 17
(III) THE VIOLATION CHARGED ; 18
(IV) TO THE EXTENT POSSIBL E, THE LOCATION OF THE 19
VIOLATION; 20
(V) THE DATE AND TIME OF THE VIOLATION; 21
(VI) A COPY OF THE RECORDED IMAGE; 22
(VII) THE AMOUNT OF THE CIV IL PENALTY IMPOSED A ND THE 23
DATE BY WHICH THE CI VIL PENALTY MUST BE PAID; 24
(VIII) A SIGNED STATEMENT BY A TECHNICIAN EMPLOYED BY THE 25
AGENCY THAT , BASED ON THE INSPECT ION OF THE RECORDED IMAGE, THE MOTOR 26
VEHICLE WAS BEING OP ERATED DURING THE CO MMISSION OF A VIOLAT ION; 27
(IX) A STATEMENT THAT THE R ECORDED IMAGE IS EVI DENCE OF 28
A VIOLATION; AND 29
HOUSE BILL 1226 9
(X) INFORMATION ADVISING THE PERSON ALLEGED TO BE 1
LIABLE UNDER THIS SE CTION: 2
1. OF THE MANNER AND TIM E IN WHICH LIABILITY AS 3
ALLEGED IN THE CITAT ION MAY BE CONTESTED IN THE DISTRICT COURT; AND 4
2. THAT FAILURE TO PAY T HE CIVIL PENALTY OR TO 5
CONTEST LIABILITY IN A TIMELY MANNER IS AN ADMISSION OF LIABILI TY AND MAY 6
RESULT IN REFUSAL OR SUSPENSION OF THE MO TOR VEHICLE REGISTRA TION. 7
(2) THE AGENCY MAY MAIL A WARNING NOTICE IN PL ACE OF A 8
CITATION TO THE OWNE R LIABLE UNDER SUBSE CTION (E) OF THIS SECTION. 9
(3) (I) BEFORE MAILING A CITA TION TO A MOTOR VEHI CLE 10
RENTAL COMPANY LIABL E UNDER SUBSECTION (E) OF THIS SECTION , AN AGENCY 11
SHALL MAIL A NOTICE TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE RENTAL COMPANY STATI NG THAT A 12
CITATION WILL BE MAI LED TO THE MOTOR VEH ICLE RENTAL COMPANY UNLESS, 13
WITHIN 45 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE NOTICE, THE MOTOR VEHICLE RE NTAL 14
COMPANY PROVIDES THE AGENCY WITH: 15
1. A STATEMENT MADE UNDER OATH THAT STATES THE 16
NAME AND LAST KNOWN MAILING ADDRESS OF T HE INDIVIDUAL DRIVIN G OR 17
RENTING THE MOTOR VE HICLE WHEN THE VIOLA TION OCCURRED ; 18
2. A. A STATEMENT MADE UNDER OATH THAT 19
STATES THAT THE MOTO R VEHICLE RENTAL COM PANY IS UNABLE TO DE TERMINE 20
WHO WAS DRIVING THE MOTOR VEHICLE AT THE TIME THE VIOLATION O CCURRED 21
BECAUSE THE MOTOR VE HICLE WAS STOLEN AT THE TIME OF THE VIOLATION; AND 22
B. A COPY OF THE POLICE R EPORT ASSOCIATED WIT H 23
THE MOTOR VEHICLE TH EFT CLAIMED UNDER IT EM A OF THIS ITEM; OR 24
3. PAYMENT FOR THE PENAL TY ASSOCIATED WITH T HE 25
VIOLATION. 26
(II) AN AGENCY MAY NOT MAI L A CITATION TO A MO TOR 27
VEHICLE RENTAL COMPANY LIABL E UNDER SUBSECTION (E) OF THIS SECTION IF 28
THE MOTOR VEHICLE RE NTAL COMPANY COMPLIE S WITH SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF 29
THIS PARAGRAPH . 30
(4) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION 31
AND SUBSECTION (H)(4) AND (5) OF THIS SECTION, A CITATION ISSUED UNDE R THIS 32
SECTION SHALL BE MAI LED NOT LATER THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER THE ALLE GED 33
VIOLATION. 34 10 HOUSE BILL 1226
(5) A PERSON WHO RECEIVES A CITATION UNDER PAR AGRAPH (1) OF 1
THIS SUBSECTION MAY : 2
(I) PAY THE CIVIL PENALTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH 3
INSTRUCTIONS ON THE CITATION; OR 4
(II) ELECT TO STAND TRIAL FOR THE ALLEGED VIOL ATION. 5
(G) (1) A CERTIFICATE ALLEGING THAT A VIOLATION OCC URRED, SWORN 6
TO OR AFFIRMED BY A DULY AUTHORIZED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER EMPLOYED 7
BY OR UNDER CONTRACT WITH AN AGENCY , BASED ON THE I NSPECTION OF A 8
RECORDED IMAGE , SHALL BE EVIDENCE OF THE FACTS CONTAINED IN THE 9
CERTIFICATE AND SHAL L BE ADMISSIBLE IN A NY PROCEEDING CONCER NING THE 10
ALLEGED VIOLATION . 11
(2) ADJUDICATION OF LIABI LITY SHALL BE BASED ON 12
PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE. 13
(H) (1) THE DISTRICT COURT MAY CONSIDER IN DEFENSE OF A 14
VIOLATION: 15
(I) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THAT 16
THE MOTOR VEHICLE OR REGISTRATION PLATES OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE WERE 17
STOLEN BEFORE THE VI OLATION OCCURRED AND WERE NOT UNDER THE C ONTROL 18
OR POSSESSION OF THE OWNER AT THE TIME OF THE VIOLATION; 19
(II) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 20
EVIDENCE THAT THE PE RSON NAMED IN THE CI TATION WAS NOT OPERA TING THE 21
MOTOR VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE VIOLATIO N; AND 22
(III) ANY OTHER ISSUES AND EVIDENCE THAT TH E DISTRICT 23
COURT CONSIDERS PERTI NENT. 24
(2) TO DEMONSTRATE THAT T HE MOTOR VEHICLE OR THE 25
REGISTRATION PLATES WERE STOLEN BEFORE T HE VIOLATION OCCURRE D AND 26
WERE NOT UNDER THE C ONTROL OR POSSESSION OF THE OWNER AT THE TIME OF 27
THE VIOLATION, THE OWNER MUST SUBMI T PROOF THAT A POLIC E REPORT ABOUT 28
THE STOLEN MOTOR VEH ICLE OR REGISTRATION PLATES WAS FILED IN A TIMELY 29
MANNER. 30
(3) TO SATISFY THE EVIDEN TIARY BURDEN UNDER P ARAGRAPH 31
(1)(II) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE PERSON NAMED IN THE CITATION SHALL PROVIDE 32
TO THE DISTRICT COURT EVIDENCE TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE DISTRICT 33 HOUSE BILL 1226 11
COURT OF WHO WAS OPER ATING THE MOTOR VEHI CLE AT THE TIME OF T HE 1
VIOLATION, INCLUDING, AT A MINIMUM , THE OPERATOR ’S NAME AND CURRENT 2
ADDRESS. 3
(4) (I) THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH APPLY ONLY TO A 4
CITATION THAT INVOLV ES A CLASS E (TRUCK) VEHICLE WITH A REGIS TERED GROSS 5
WEIGHT OF 26,001 POUNDS OR MORE , CLASS F (TRACTOR) VEHICLE, CLASS G 6
(TRAILER) VEHICLE OPERATED IN COMBINATION WITH A CLASS F (TRACTOR) 7
VEHICLE, OR CLASS P (PASSENGER BUS ) VEHICLE. 8
(II) TO SATISFY THE EVIDEN TIARY BURDEN UNDER 9
PARAGRAPH (1)(II) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE PERSON NAMED IN A CITATION 10
DESCRIBED UNDER SUBP ARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH MA Y PROVIDE TO THE 11
DISTRICT COURT A LETTER , SWORN TO O R AFFIRMED BY THE PE RSON AND MAILED 12
BY CERTIFIED MAIL , RETURN RECEIPT REQUE STED, THAT: 13
1. STATES THAT THE PERSO N NAMED IN THE CITAT ION 14
WAS NOT OPERATING TH E MOTOR VEHICLE AT T HE TIME OF THE VIOLA TION; AND 15
2. PROVIDES THE NAME , ADDRESS, AND DRIVER ’S 16
LICENSE IDENTIFICATI ON NUMBER OF THE PER SON WHO WAS OPERATIN G THE 17
MOTOR VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE VIOLATIO N. 18
(5) (I) IF THE DISTRICT COURT FINDS THAT THE PERSON NAMED 19
IN THE CITATION WAS NOT OPERATING THE MO TOR VEHICLE AT THE T IME OF THE 20
VIOLATION O R RECEIVES EVIDENCE UNDER PARAGRAPH (4)(II)2 OF THIS 21
SUBSECTION IDENTIFYI NG THE PERSON DRIVIN G THE MOTOR VEHICLE AT THE TIME 22
OF THE VIOLATION, THE CLERK OF COURT S HALL PROVIDE TO THE AGENCY ISSUING 23
THE CITATION A COPY OF ANY EVIDENCE SUBS TANTIATING WHO WAS OPERATING 24
THE MOTOR VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE VIOL ATION. 25
(II) ON RECEIPT OF SUBSTAN TIATING EVIDENCE FRO M THE 26
DISTRICT COURT UNDER SUBPARAGR APH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , THE AGENCY 27
MAY ISSUE A CITATION AS PROVIDED IN SUBSE CTION (F) OF THIS SECTION TO T HE 28
PERSON WHO THE EVIDE NCE INDICATES WAS OP ERATING THE MOTOR VE HICLE AT 29
THE TIME OF THE VIOL ATION. 30
(III) A CITATION ISSUED UNDE R SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 31
PARAGRAPH SHALL BE M AILED NOT LATER THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER RECEIPT OF THE 32
EVIDENCE FROM THE DISTRICT COURT. 33
(I) IF THE CIVIL PENALTY IS NOT PAID AND THE VIOLATION IS NOT 34
CONTESTED, THE ADMINISTRATION MAY RE FUSE TO REGISTER OR REREGISTER OR 35
MAY SUSPEND THE REGI STRATION OF THE MOTO R VEHICLE. 36 12 HOUSE BILL 1226
(J) A VIOLATION FOR WHICH A CIVIL PENALTY IS I MPOSED UNDER THIS 1
SECTION: 2
(1) IS NOT A MOVING VIOLA TION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSESSING 3
POINTS UNDER § 16–402 OF THIS ARTICLE AND MAY NOT BE RECORDED BY THE 4
ADMINISTRATION ON THE DRIVING RECORD OF TH E OWNER OR DRIVER OF THE 5
MOTOR VEHICLE ; AND 6
(2) MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED IN THE PROVISION OF M OTOR VEHICLE 7
INSURANCE COVERAGE . 8
(K) IN CONSULTATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGEN CIES, THE CHIEF 9
JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT COURT SHALL ADOPT PRO CEDURES FOR THE ISSU ANCE 10
OF CITATIONS, TRIALS FOR VIOLATION S, AND THE COLLECTION O F CIVIL PENALTIES 11
IMPOSED UNDER THIS S ECTION. 12
(L) (1) AN AGENCY OR AN AGENT OR A CONTRACTOR DESI GNATED BY THE 13
AGENCY SHALL ADMINIS TER AND PROCESS CIVI L CITATIONS ISSUED U NDER THIS 14
SECTION IN COORDINAT ION WITH THE DISTRICT COURT. 15
(2) IF A CONTRACTOR IN AN Y MANNER OPERATES A ST OP SIGN 16
MONITORING SYSTEM OR ADMINISTERS OR PROCE SSES CITATIONS GENER ATED BY 17
A STOP SIGN MONITORI NG SYSTEM ON BEHALF OF BALTIMORE CITY, THE 18
CONTRACTOR ’S FEE MAY NOT BE CON TINGENT ON A PER –TICKET BASIS ON THE 19
NUMBER OF CITATIONS ISSUED OR PAID. 20
21–707.1. 21
(a) This section applies only in Prince George’s County, THE 45TH AND 46TH 22
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS IN BALTIMORE CITY, AND THE CITY OF TAKOMA PARK. 23
(b) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 24
(2) “Agency” means a law enforcement agency that is authorized to issue a 25
citation for a violation of the Maryland Vehicle Law or of local traffic laws or regulations. 26
(3) (i) “Owner” means the registered owner of a motor vehicle or lessee 27
of a motor vehicle under a lease of 6 months or more. 28
(ii) “Owner” does not include: 29
1. A motor vehicle leasing company; or 30
HOUSE BILL 1226 13
2. A holder of a special registration plate issued under Title 1
13, Subtitle 9, Part III of this article. 2
(4) “Recorded image” means images recorded by a stop sign monitoring 3
system: 4
(i) On: 5
1. Two or more photographs; 6
2. Two or more microphotographs; 7
3. Two or more electronic images; 8
4. Videotape; or 9
5. Any other medium; and 10
(ii) Showing a motor vehicle and, on at least one image or portion of 11
tape, clearly identifying the registration plate number of the motor vehicle. 12
(5) “Stop sign monitoring system” means a device designed to capture a 13
recorded image of a violation. 14
(6) (i) “Violation” means a failure to come to a complete stop at a stop 15
sign in violation of § 21–707 of this subtitle. 16
(ii) “Violation” does not include any action a driver is instructed to 17
take by a police officer. 18
(c) (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) through (5) of this subsection, an agency may 19
use stop sign monitoring systems: 20
(i) On highways located in a school zone maintained by a local 21
jurisdiction, if authorized by the governing body of the local jurisdiction; or 22
(ii) On State highways located in a school zone, if authorized by the 23
State Highway Administration. 24
(2) A stop sign monitoring system: 25
(i) May not be used in a local jurisdiction under this section unless 26
its use is authorized by the governing body of the local jurisdiction by local law enacted 27
after reasonable notice and a public hearing; and 28
(ii) [May] IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MAY only be used at a 29
location approved by the Prince George’s County Council. 30 14 HOUSE BILL 1226
(3) [The county] PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY shall prioritize the 1
placement of stop sign monitoring systems within municipalities that have high violation 2
rates. 3
(4) Before beginning use of stop sign monitoring systems, an agency shall 4
publish notice that the agency has adopted the use of stop sign monitoring systems on its 5
website and, IN BALTIMORE CITY AND PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY ONLY , in a 6
newspaper of general circulation in the jurisdiction in which the stop sign monitoring 7
system will be used. 8
(5) (i) [The county] A LOCAL JURISDICTION T HAT IMPLEMENTS A 9
STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEM shall prominently place signs on highways within the 10
[county] LOCAL JURISDICTION providing notice that stop sign monitoring systems are 11
used in the [county] LOCAL JURISDICTION . 12
(ii) The State Highway Administration shall place signs prominently 13
providing notice that stop sign monitoring systems are in use on State highways. 14
(d) A recorded image under this section indicating that the driver of a motor 15
vehicle has committed a violation shall include: 16
(1) The time and date of the violation; and 17
(2) To the extent possible, the location of the violation. 18
(e) (1) Unless the driver of the motor vehicle received a citation from a police 19
officer at the time of the violation, the owner or, in accordance with subsection (f)(3) or (h)(4) 20
or (5) of this section, the driver of a motor vehicle is subject to a civil penalty if the motor 21
vehicle is recorded by a stop sign monitoring system during the commission of a violation. 22
(2) A civil penalty under this subsection may not exceed $40. 23
(3) For purposes of this section, the District Court shall prescribe: 24
(i) A uniform citation form consistent with subsection (f)(1) of this 25
section and § 7–302 of the Courts Article; and 26
(ii) A civil penalty, which shall be indicated on the citation, to be paid 27
by persons who choose to prepay the civil penalty without appearing in District Court. 28
(f) (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (2) through (5) of this 29
subsection, an agency shall mail to the owner liable under subsection (e) of this section a 30
citation that shall include: 31
(i) The name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle; 32 HOUSE BILL 1226 15
(ii) The registration PLATE number of the motor vehicle involved in 1
the violation; 2
(iii) The violation charged; 3
(iv) To the extent possible, the location of the violation; 4
(v) The date and time of the violation; 5
(vi) A copy of the recorded image; 6
(vii) The amount of the civil penalty imposed and the date by which 7
the civil penalty must be paid; 8
(viii) A signed statement by a technician employed by the agency that, 9
based on the inspection of the recorded image, the motor vehicle was being operated during 10
the commission of a violation; 11
(ix) A statement that the recorded image is evidence of a violation; 12
and 13
(x) Information advising the person alleged to be liable under this 14
section: 15
1. Of the manner and time in which liability as alleged in the 16
citation may be contested in the District Court; and 17
2. That failure to pay the civil penalty or to contest liability 18
in a timely manner is an admission of liability and may result in refusal or suspension of 19
the motor vehicle registration. 20
(2) The agency may mail a warning notice in place of a citation to the owner 21
liable under subsection (e) of this section. 22
(3) (i) Before mailing a citation to a motor vehicle rental company liable 23
under subsection (e) of this section, an agency shall mail a notice to the motor vehicle rental 24
company stating that a citation will be mailed to the motor vehicle rental company unless, 25
within 45 days after receiving the notice, the motor vehicle rental company provides the 26
agency with: 27
1. A statement made under oath that states the name and 28
last known mailing address of the individual driving or renting the motor vehicle when the 29
violation occurred; 30
2. A. A statement made under oath that states that the 31
motor vehicle rental company is unable to determine who was driving the vehicle at the 32 16 HOUSE BILL 1226
time the violation occurred because the motor vehicle was stolen at the time of the violation; 1
and 2
B. A copy of the police report associated with the motor 3
vehicle theft claimed under item A of this item; or 4
3. Payment for the penalty associated with the violation. 5
(ii) An agency may not mail a citation to a motor vehicle rental 6
company liable under subsection (e) of this section if the motor vehicle rental company 7
complies with subparagraph (i) of this paragraph. 8
(4) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection and subsection 9
(h)(4) and (5) of this section, a citation issued under this section shall be mailed not later 10
than 2 weeks after the alleged violation. 11
(5) A person who receives a citation under paragraph (1) of this subsection 12
may: 13
(i) Pay the civil penalty in accordance with instructions on the 14
citation; or 15
(ii) Elect to stand trial for the alleged violation. 16
(g) (1) A certificate alleging that a violation occurred, sworn to or affirmed by 17
a duly authorized law enforcement officer employed by or under contract with an agency, 18
based on the inspection of a recorded image, shall be evidence of the facts contained in the 19
certificate and shall be admissible in any proceeding concerning the alleged violation. 20
(2) Adjudication of liability shall be based on preponderance of the 21
evidence. 22
(h) (1) The District Court may consider in defense of a violation: 23
(i) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, that the motor vehicle 24
or registration plates of the motor vehicle were stolen before the violation occurred and 25
were not under the control or possession of the owner at the time of the violation; 26
(ii) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, evidence that the 27
person named in the citation was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; and 28
(iii) Any other issues and evidence that the District Court considers 29
pertinent. 30
(2) To demonstrate that the motor vehicle or the registration plates were 31
stolen before the violation occurred and were not under the control or possession of the 32 HOUSE BILL 1226 17
owner at the time of the violation, the owner must submit proof that a police report about 1
the stolen motor vehicle or registration plates was filed in a timely manner. 2
(3) To satisfy the evidentiary burden under paragraph (1)(ii) of this 3
subsection, the person named in the citation shall provide to the District Court evidence to 4
the satisfaction of the District Court of who was operating the vehicle at the time of the 5
violation, including, at a minimum, the operator’s name and current address. 6
(4) (i) The provisions of this paragraph apply only to a citation that 7
involves a Class E (truck) vehicle with a registered gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more, 8
Class F (tractor) vehicle, Class G (trailer) vehicle operated in combination with a Class F 9
(tractor) vehicle, or Class P (passenger bus) vehicle. 10
(ii) To satisfy the evidentiary burden under paragraph (1)(ii) of this 11
subsection, the person named in a citation described under subparagraph (i) of this 12
paragraph may provide to the District Court a letter, sworn to or affirmed by the person 13
and mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, that: 14
1. States that the person named in the citation was not 15
operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; and 16
2. Provides the name, address, and driver’s license 17
identification number of the person who was operating the vehicle at the time of the 18
violation. 19
(5) (i) If the District Court finds that the person named in the citation 20
was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation or receives evidence under 21
paragraph (4)(ii)2 of this subsection identifying the person driving the vehicle at the time 22
of the violation, the clerk of court shall provide to the agency issuing the citation a copy of 23
any evidence substantiating who was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation. 24
(ii) On receipt of substantiating evidence from the District Court 25
under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the agency may issue a citation as provided in 26
subsection (f) of this section to the person who the evidence indicates was operating the 27
vehicle at the time of the violation. 28
(iii) A citation issued under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph shall 29
be mailed not later than 2 weeks after receipt of the evidence from the District Court. 30
(i) If the civil penalty is not paid and the violation is not contested, the 31
Administration may refuse to register or reregister or may suspend the registration of the 32
motor vehicle. 33
(j) A violation for which a civil penalty is imposed under this section: 34
18 HOUSE BILL 1226
(1) Is not a moving violation for the purpose of assessing points under § 1
16–402 of this article and may not be recorded by the Administration on the driving record 2
of the owner or driver of the vehicle; and 3
(2) May not be considered in the provision of motor vehicle insurance 4
coverage. 5
(k) In consultation with law enforcement agencies, the Chief Judge of the District 6
Court shall adopt procedures for the issuance of citations, trials for violations, and the 7
collection of civil penalties imposed under this section. 8
(l) (1) An agency or an agent or a contractor designated by the agency shall 9
administer and process civil citations issued under this section in coordination with the 10
District Court. 11
(2) If a contractor in any manner operates a stop sign monitoring system 12
or administers or processes citations generated by a STOP SIGN monitoring system on 13
behalf of a local jurisdiction, the contractor’s fee may not be contingent on a per–ticket basis 14
on the number of citations issued or paid. 15
SECTION 4. 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before December 1, 16
2026 2027, the Baltimore City Department of Transportation shall and the City of Takoma 17
Park, respectively, shall each report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of 18
the State Government Article, the General Assembly on: 19
(1) through October 1, 2026 2027: 20
(i) the time period during which stop sign monitoring systems were 21
in use in the City local jurisdiction; and 22
(ii) the number of warnings and citations issued as a result of 23
violations recorded by a stop sign monitoring system in the City local jurisdiction over the 24
reported time period, by location and date; 25
(2) (i) the costs associated with implementing and operating stop sign 26
monitoring systems; and 27
(ii) the revenue collected on a monthly basis as a result of violations 28
recorded by stop sign monitoring systems; 29
(3) appropriate locations for the deployment of stop sign monitoring 30
systems; 31
(4) the performance and reliability of stop sign monitoring systems used by 32
the City local jurisdiction; and 33
HOUSE BILL 1226 19
(5) the effectiveness of stop sign monitoring systems in reducing violations, 1
crashes, and pedestrian injuries in the City local jurisdiction and in areas where the stop 2
sign monitoring systems were implemented and used. 3
SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 2 of this Act shall take 4
effect on the taking effect of the termination provision specified in Section 3 of Chapter 678 5
of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024. If that termination provision takes effect, 6
Section 1 of this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be 7
abrogated and of no further force and effect. This Act may not be interpreted to have any 8
effect on that termination provision. 9
SECTION 6. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That , subject to the provisions 10
of Section 5 of this Act, this Act shall take effect July 1, 2025. It shall remain effective for 11
a period of 5 4 years and, at the end of June 30, 2030 2029, this Act, with no further action 12
required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect. 13
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.