EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0044*
SENATE BILL 44
R5 5lr0895
SB 68/24 – JPR (PRE–FILED)
By: Senators Carozza, Gile, James, Jennings, Klausmeier, Muse, Watson, and West
Requested: September 19, 2024
Introduced and read first time: January 8, 2025
Assigned to: Judicial Proceedings
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Reckless and Negligent Driving – Death of Another – Must–Appear Violation 2
(Sherry and Christian’s Law) 3
FOR the purpose of providing that a person charged with reckless or negligent driving that 4
contributes to an accident that results in the death of another person must appear 5
in court and may not prepay the fine; authorizing a court to waive the requirement 6
to appear under certain circumstances; and generally relating to reckless and 7
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 2024 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) In a manner that indicates a wanton or willful disregard for the safety 20
of persons or property. 21
2 SENATE BILL 44
(b) A person is guilty of negligent driving if he drives a motor vehicle in a careless 1
or imprudent manner that endangers any property or the life or person of any individual. 2
(c) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , A 3
PERSON CHARGED WITH A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION THAT CONTRIB UTES TO AN 4
ACCIDENT THAT RESULT S IN THE DEATH OF AN OTHER: 5
(I) MUST APPEAR IN COURT ; AND 6
(II) MAY NOT PREPAY THE FI NE. 7
(2) AFTER A COURT HAS ISS UED A WRIT SETTING T HE DATE, TIME, 8
AND PLACE FOR THE PE RSON TO APPEAR , THE COURT MAY , FOR GOOD CAUSE 9
SHOWN: 10
(I) WAIVE THE REQUIREMENT TO APPEAR IN COURT ; AND 11
(II) ALLOW THE PERSON TO E NTER A PLEA OF GUILT Y AND 12
PREPAY THE FINE . 13
(D) A person convicted of a violation of subsection (a) of this section is subject to a 14
fine not exceeding $1,000. 15
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take ef fect 16
October 1, 2025. 17