| Old | New | Differences | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | ||
| 2 | 2 | ||
| 3 | 3 | EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW. | |
| 4 | 4 | [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law. | |
| 5 | - | Underlining indicates amendments to bill. | |
| 6 | - | Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by | |
| 7 | - | amendment. | |
| 8 | 5 | *sb0471* | |
| 9 | 6 | ||
| 10 | 7 | SENATE BILL 471 | |
| 11 | 8 | R5 5lr2535 | |
| 12 | 9 | CF HB 463 | |
| 13 | 10 | By: Senator Rosapepe | |
| 14 | 11 | Introduced and read first time: January 22, 2025 | |
| 15 | 12 | Assigned to: Judicial Proceedings | |
| 16 | - | Committee Report: Favorable with amendments | |
| 17 | - | Senate action: Adopted | |
| 18 | - | Read second time: February 27, 2025 | |
| 19 | 13 | ||
| 20 | - | ||
| 14 | + | A BILL ENTITLED | |
| 21 | 15 | ||
| 22 | 16 | AN ACT concerning 1 | |
| 23 | 17 | ||
| 24 | 18 | Vehicle Laws – Motor Vehicle Administration – 3–Hour Roadway Safety Driving 2 | |
| 25 | - | Education Program | |
| 19 | + | Education Program 3 | |
| 26 | 20 | ||
| 27 | 21 | FOR the purpose of requiring the Motor Vehicle Administration to establish a 3–hour 4 | |
| 28 | - | Roadway Safety Driving Education Program altering the requirements of the 3–hour 5 | |
| 29 | - | Roadway Safety Driving Education Program established by the Motor Vehicle 6 | |
| 30 | - | Administration for certain applicants for and holders of driver’s licenses; and 7 | |
| 31 | - | generally relating to the 3–hour Roadway Safety Driving Education Program. 8 | |
| 22 | + | Roadway Safety Driving Education Program for certain applicants for and holders 5 | |
| 23 | + | of driver’s licenses; and generally relating to the 3–hour Roadway Safety Driving 6 | |
| 24 | + | Education Program. 7 | |
| 32 | 25 | ||
| 33 | - | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, | |
| 34 | - | Article – Transportation | |
| 35 | - | Section 16–105(f), 16–212, and 16–212.1 | |
| 36 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland | |
| 37 | - | (2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) | |
| 26 | + | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8 | |
| 27 | + | Article – Transportation 9 | |
| 28 | + | Section 16–105(f), 16–212, and 16–212.1 10 | |
| 29 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 11 | |
| 30 | + | (2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 12 | |
| 38 | 31 | ||
| 39 | - | SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, | |
| 40 | - | That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: | |
| 32 | + | SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 13 | |
| 33 | + | That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 14 | |
| 41 | 34 | ||
| 42 | - | Article – Transportation | |
| 35 | + | Article – Transportation 15 | |
| 43 | 36 | ||
| 44 | - | 16–105. | |
| 37 | + | 16–105. 16 | |
| 45 | 38 | ||
| 46 | - | (f) (1) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Administration may 18 | |
| 47 | - | issue a driver’s license, without first issuing a learner’s instructional permit and without a 19 | |
| 48 | - | waiting period, to any individual who: 20 2 SENATE BILL 471 | |
| 39 | + | (f) (1) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Administration may 17 | |
| 40 | + | issue a driver’s license, without first issuing a learner’s instructional permit and without a 18 | |
| 41 | + | waiting period, to any individual who: 19 | |
| 42 | + | ||
| 43 | + | (i) Has been licensed regularly to drive in this State, in another 20 | |
| 44 | + | state or country, or by the armed forces of the United States, if the Administration is 21 | |
| 45 | + | satisfied that the applicant’s experience in driving vehicles of the type that would be 22 | |
| 46 | + | authorized by the license class applied for is sufficient to justify issuance of the license 23 | |
| 47 | + | without further training; or 24 | |
| 48 | + | 2 SENATE BILL 471 | |
| 49 | 49 | ||
| 50 | 50 | ||
| 51 | + | (ii) Has successfully completed the Administration approved basic 1 | |
| 52 | + | motorcycle safety course. 2 | |
| 51 | 53 | ||
| 52 | - | (i) Has been licensed regularly to drive in this State, in another 1 | |
| 53 | - | state or country, or by the armed forces of the United States, if the Administration is 2 | |
| 54 | - | satisfied that the applicant’s experience in driving vehicles of the type that would be 3 | |
| 55 | - | authorized by the license class applied for is sufficient to justify issuance of the license 4 | |
| 56 | - | without further training; or 5 | |
| 54 | + | (2) The Administration may: 3 | |
| 57 | 55 | ||
| 58 | - | ( | |
| 59 | - | ||
| 56 | + | (i) Examine the applicant’s driving as provided in § 16–110 of this 4 | |
| 57 | + | subtitle; or 5 | |
| 60 | 58 | ||
| 61 | - | (2) The Administration may: 8 | |
| 59 | + | (ii) Issue a provisional license, if appropriate, under § 16–111(e) of 6 | |
| 60 | + | this subtitle. 7 | |
| 62 | 61 | ||
| 63 | - | (i) Examine the applicant’s driving as provided in § 16–110 of this 9 | |
| 64 | - | subtitle; or 10 | |
| 62 | + | (3) An individual who never held a driver’s license issued by the 8 | |
| 63 | + | Administration or by another state, but who otherwise may obtain a license under 9 | |
| 64 | + | paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection without first obtaining a learner’s instructional permit, 10 | |
| 65 | + | shall successfully complete a 3–hour [alcohol and drug education program] ROADWAY 11 | |
| 66 | + | SAFETY DRIVING EDUCATION PROGRAM established by the Administration under § 12 | |
| 67 | + | 16–212.1 of this title before qualifying for a driver’s license. 13 | |
| 65 | 68 | ||
| 66 | - | (ii) Issue a provisional license, if appropriate, under § 16–111(e) of 11 | |
| 67 | - | this subtitle. 12 | |
| 69 | + | 16–212. 14 | |
| 68 | 70 | ||
| 69 | - | (3) An individual who never held a driver’s license issued by the 13 | |
| 70 | - | Administration or by another state, but who otherwise may obtain a license under 14 | |
| 71 | - | paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection without first obtaining a learner’s instructional permit, 15 | |
| 72 | - | shall successfully complete a 3–hour [alcohol and drug education program] ROADWAY 16 | |
| 73 | - | SAFETY DRIVING EDUCATION PROGRAM established by the Administration under § 17 | |
| 74 | - | 16–212.1 of this title before qualifying for a driver’s license. 18 | |
| 71 | + | (a) The Administration may conduct: 15 | |
| 75 | 72 | ||
| 76 | - | 16–212. 19 | |
| 73 | + | (1) A driver improvement program, including a driver improvement 16 | |
| 74 | + | program designed specifically for young drivers; and 17 | |
| 77 | 75 | ||
| 78 | - | (a) The Administration may conduct: 20 | |
| 76 | + | (2) [An alcohol education program] THE 3–HOUR ROADWAY SAFETY 18 | |
| 77 | + | DRIVING EDUCATION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED B Y THE ADMINISTRATION UNDER § 19 | |
| 78 | + | 16–212.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 20 | |
| 79 | 79 | ||
| 80 | - | (1) | |
| 81 | - | ||
| 80 | + | (b) (1) The purpose of the programs authorized under this section is to provide 21 | |
| 81 | + | driver rehabilitation AND EDUCATION . 22 | |
| 82 | 82 | ||
| 83 | - | (2) [An alcohol education program] THE 3–HOUR ROADWAY SAFETY 23 | |
| 84 | - | DRIVING EDUCATION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED B Y THE ADMINISTRATION UNDER § 24 | |
| 85 | - | 16–212.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 25 | |
| 83 | + | (2) The Administration shall determine the content of the programs. 23 | |
| 86 | 84 | ||
| 87 | - | (b) (1) The purpose of the programs authorized under this section is to provide 26 | |
| 88 | - | driver rehabilitation AND EDUCATION . 27 | |
| 85 | + | (c) If an individual is convicted of one or more moving violations: 24 | |
| 89 | 86 | ||
| 90 | - | (2) The Administration shall determine the content of the programs. 28 | |
| 87 | + | (1) Notwithstanding item (2) of this subsection, after a hearing as provided 25 | |
| 88 | + | in Title 12, Subtitle 2 of this article, as a condition of reinstatement of a driver’s license, 26 | |
| 89 | + | the Administration may require an individual to attend a driver improvement program or 27 | |
| 90 | + | [alcohol education program] THE 3–HOUR ROADWAY SAFETY DRIVING EDUCATION 28 | |
| 91 | + | PROGRAM; or 29 | |
| 91 | 92 | ||
| 92 | - | (c) If an individual is convicted of one or more moving violations: 29 | |
| 93 | - | ||
| 94 | - | (1) Notwithstanding item (2) of this subsection, after a hearing as provided 30 | |
| 95 | - | in Title 12, Subtitle 2 of this article, as a condition of reinstatement of a driver’s license, 31 | |
| 96 | - | the Administration may require an individual to attend a driver improvement program or 32 SENATE BILL 471 3 | |
| 93 | + | (2) A court may require an individual to attend a driver improvement 30 | |
| 94 | + | program or [alcohol education program] THE 3–HOUR ROADWAY SAFETY DRIVING 31 | |
| 95 | + | EDUCATION PROGRAM. 32 | |
| 96 | + | SENATE BILL 471 3 | |
| 97 | 97 | ||
| 98 | 98 | ||
| 99 | - | [alcohol education program] THE 3–HOUR ROADWAY SAFETY DRIVING EDUCATION 1 | |
| 100 | - | PROGRAM; or 2 | |
| 99 | + | (d) In carrying out an order of the court, a probation officer or health department 1 | |
| 100 | + | officer may assign an individual to attend a driver improvement program or [alcohol 2 | |
| 101 | + | education program] THE 3–HOUR ROADWAY SAFETY DRIVING EDUCATION 3 | |
| 102 | + | PROGRAM. 4 | |
| 101 | 103 | ||
| 102 | - | (2) A court may require an individual to attend a driver improvement 3 | |
| 103 | - | program or [alcohol education program] THE 3–HOUR ROADWAY SAFETY DRIVING 4 | |
| 104 | - | EDUCATION PROGRAM. 5 | |
| 104 | + | (e) (1) An individual who attends a program under this section shall pay, in 5 | |
| 105 | + | advance, a fee as provided in this subsection. 6 | |
| 105 | 106 | ||
| 106 | - | (d) In carrying out an order of the court, a probation officer or health department 6 | |
| 107 | - | officer may assign an individual to attend a driver improvement program or [alcohol 7 | |
| 108 | - | education program] THE 3–HOUR ROADWAY SAFETY DRIVING EDUCATION 8 | |
| 109 | - | PROGRAM. 9 | |
| 107 | + | (2) The Administration shall set a reasonable fee based on the costs of 7 | |
| 108 | + | operating the programs authorized by this section. 8 | |
| 110 | 109 | ||
| 111 | - | (e) (1) An individual who attends a program under this section shall pay, in 10 | |
| 112 | - | advance, a fee as provided in this subsection. 11 | |
| 110 | + | (3) The funds collected by the Administration under this subsection may 9 | |
| 111 | + | not be credited to the Gasoline and Motor Vehicle Revenue Account for distribution under 10 | |
| 112 | + | § 8–403 or § 8–404 of this article. 11 | |
| 113 | 113 | ||
| 114 | - | (2) The Administration shall set a reasonable fee based on the costs of 12 | |
| 115 | - | operating the programs authorized by this section. 13 | |
| 114 | + | (f) (1) The Administration may waive attendance at [an alcohol education 12 | |
| 115 | + | program] THE 3–HOUR ROADWAY SAFETY DRIVING EDUCATION PROGRAM conducted 13 | |
| 116 | + | by the Administration if an individual attends a private [alcohol education program or an 14 | |
| 117 | + | alcohol education program] ROADWAY SAFETY EDUCA TION PROGRAM OR A RO ADWAY 15 | |
| 118 | + | SAFETY EDUCATION PRO GRAM provided by a political subdivision of the State that is 16 | |
| 119 | + | approved by the Behavioral Health Administration and the Administration. 17 | |
| 116 | 120 | ||
| 117 | - | (3) The funds collected by the Administration under this subsection may 14 | |
| 118 | - | not be credited to the Gasoline and Motor Vehicle Revenue Account for distribution under 15 | |
| 119 | - | § 8–403 or § 8–404 of this article. 16 | |
| 121 | + | (2) The Administration may waive attendance at a driver improvement 18 | |
| 122 | + | program conducted by the Administration if an individual attends a private driver 19 | |
| 123 | + | improvement program or a driver improvement program provided by a political subdivision 20 | |
| 124 | + | of the State that is approved by the Administration. 21 | |
| 120 | 125 | ||
| 121 | - | (f) (1) The Administration may waive attendance at [an alcohol education 17 | |
| 122 | - | program] THE 3–HOUR ROADWAY SAFETY DRIVING EDUCATION PROGRAM conducted 18 | |
| 123 | - | by the Administration if an individual attends a private [alcohol education program or an 19 | |
| 124 | - | alcohol education program] ROADWAY SAFETY EDUCA TION PROGRAM OR A RO ADWAY 20 | |
| 125 | - | SAFETY EDUCATION PRO GRAM provided by a political subdivision of the State that is 21 | |
| 126 | - | approved by the Behavioral Health Administration and the Administration. 22 | |
| 126 | + | (3) The Administration shall establish criteria for approving private 22 | |
| 127 | + | providers of [alcohol education] ROADWAY SAFETY EDUCA TION or driver improvement 23 | |
| 128 | + | programs provided by a political subdivision of the State. 24 | |
| 127 | 129 | ||
| 128 | - | (2) The Administration may waive attendance at a driver improvement 23 | |
| 129 | - | program conducted by the Administration if an individual attends a private driver 24 | |
| 130 | - | improvement program or a driver improvement program provided by a political subdivision 25 | |
| 131 | - | of the State that is approved by the Administration. 26 | |
| 130 | + | (4) Upon application for approval to provide the programs allowed under 25 | |
| 131 | + | this section, a private provider shall pay an application fee established by the 26 | |
| 132 | + | Administration. 27 | |
| 132 | 133 | ||
| 133 | - | (3) The Administration shall establish criteria for approving private 27 | |
| 134 | - | providers of [alcohol education] ROADWAY SAFETY EDUCA TION or driver improvement 28 | |
| 135 | - | programs provided by a political subdivision of the State. 29 | |
| 134 | + | 16–212.1. 28 | |
| 136 | 135 | ||
| 137 | - | (4) Upon application for approval to provide the programs allowed under 30 | |
| 138 | - | this section, a private provider shall pay an application fee established by the 31 | |
| 139 | - | Administration. 32 | |
| 136 | + | (a) The Administration, in cooperation with the Behavioral Health 29 | |
| 137 | + | Administration, shall establish [an alcohol and drug education program] THE 3–HOUR 30 | |
| 138 | + | ROADWAY SAFETY DRIVING EDUCATION PROGRAM to educate driver’s license 31 | |
| 139 | + | applicants who are subject to the provisions of § 16–105(f)(3) of this title. This program also 32 | |
| 140 | + | shall be included as part of the driver education course established under Subtitle 5 of this 33 | |
| 141 | + | title. 34 | |
| 140 | 142 | ||
| 141 | - | 16–212.1. 33 | |
| 142 | - | ||
| 143 | - | (a) The Administration, in cooperation with the Behavioral Health 34 | |
| 144 | - | Administration, shall establish [an alcohol and drug education program] THE 3–HOUR 35 4 SENATE BILL 471 | |
| 143 | + | [(b) The program shall provide 3 hours of instruction in: 35 | |
| 144 | + | 4 SENATE BILL 471 | |
| 145 | 145 | ||
| 146 | 146 | ||
| 147 | - | ROADWAY SAFETY DRIVING EDUCATION PROGRAM to educate driver’s license 1 | |
| 148 | - | applicants who are subject to the provisions of § 16–105(f)(3) of this title. This program also 2 | |
| 149 | - | shall be included as part of the driver education course established under Subtitle 5 of this 3 | |
| 150 | - | title. 4 | |
| 147 | + | (1) The hazards of driving while impaired or intoxicated; 1 | |
| 151 | 148 | ||
| 152 | - | [(b) The program shall provide 3 hours of instruction in: 5 | |
| 149 | + | (2) The criminal penalties and administrative sanctions for alcohol and 2 | |
| 150 | + | drug related motor vehicle violations; 3 | |
| 153 | 151 | ||
| 154 | - | (1) The hazards of driving while impaired or intoxicated; 6 | |
| 152 | + | (3) The medical, biological, and psychological effects of the consumption of 4 | |
| 153 | + | alcohol and drugs and their impact on the operation of a motor vehicle; and 5 | |
| 155 | 154 | ||
| 156 | - | ( | |
| 157 | - | ||
| 155 | + | (4) Any other drug and alcohol related information that the Administration 6 | |
| 156 | + | determines would be beneficial to applicants for a driver’s license. 7 | |
| 158 | 157 | ||
| 159 | - | (3) The medical, biological, and psychological effects of the consumption of 9 | |
| 160 | - | alcohol and drugs and their impact on the operation of a motor vehicle; and 10 | |
| 158 | + | (c) The Administration shall adopt regulations establishing criteria for certifying 8 | |
| 159 | + | a private entity to offer the alcohol and drug education program established under this 9 | |
| 160 | + | section.] 10 | |
| 161 | 161 | ||
| 162 | - | ( | |
| 163 | - | ||
| 162 | + | (B) THE 3–HOUR ROADWAY SAFETY DRIVING EDUCATION PROGRAM 11 | |
| 163 | + | SHALL PROVIDE INSTRU CTION ON: 12 | |
| 164 | 164 | ||
| 165 | - | (c) The Administration shall adopt regulations establishing criteria for certifying 13 | |
| 166 | - | a private entity to offer the alcohol and drug education program established under this 14 | |
| 167 | - | section.] 15 | |
| 165 | + | (1) UNDERSTANDING SIGNS , SIGNALS, AND PAVEMENT MARKING S; 13 | |
| 168 | 166 | ||
| 169 | - | (B) THE 3–HOUR ROADWAY SAFETY DRIVING EDUCATION PROGRAM 16 | |
| 170 | - | SHALL PROVIDE INSTRU CTION ON: 17 | |
| 167 | + | (2) DANGEROUS DRIVING BEH AVIORS; 14 | |
| 171 | 168 | ||
| 172 | - | ( | |
| 169 | + | (3) WORK ZONE SAFETY ; 15 | |
| 173 | 170 | ||
| 174 | - | ( | |
| 171 | + | (4) THE HAZARDS OF DRIVIN G WHILE IMPAIRED OR INTOXICATED; 16 | |
| 175 | 172 | ||
| 176 | - | (3) WORK ZONE SAFETY ; 20 | |
| 173 | + | (5) THE CRIMINAL PENALTIE S AND ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS FOR 17 | |
| 174 | + | ALCOHOL– AND DRUG–RELATED MOTOR VEHICL E VIOLATIONS; 18 | |
| 177 | 175 | ||
| 178 | - | (4) THE HAZARDS OF DRIVIN G WHILE IMPAIRED OR INTOXICATED; 21 | |
| 176 | + | (6) THE MEDICAL, BIOLOGICAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EF FECTS OF 19 | |
| 177 | + | THE CONSUMPTION OF A LCOHOL AND DRUGS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE 20 | |
| 178 | + | OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE; 21 | |
| 179 | 179 | ||
| 180 | - | (5) THE CRIMINAL PENALTIE S AND ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS FOR 22 | |
| 181 | - | ALCOHOL– AND DRUG–RELATED MOTOR VEHICL E VIOLATIONS; 23 | |
| 180 | + | (7) THE MARYLAND DRIVING RECO RD AND POINTS SYSTEM S; AND 22 | |
| 182 | 181 | ||
| 183 | - | ( | |
| 184 | - | THE | |
| 185 | - | ||
| 182 | + | (8) ANY OTHER ROADWAY SAF ETY–RELATED INFORMATION THAT 23 | |
| 183 | + | THE ADMINISTRATION DETERM INES WOULD BE BENEFI CIAL TO APPLICANTS F OR A 24 | |
| 184 | + | DRIVER’S LICENSE. 25 | |
| 186 | 185 | ||
| 187 | - | (7) THE MARYLAND DRIVING RECO RD AND POINTS SYSTEM S; AND 27 | |
| 186 | + | SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 26 | |
| 187 | + | October 1, 2025. 27 | |
| 188 | 188 | ||
| 189 | - | (8) ANY OTHER ROADWAY SAF ETY–RELATED INFORMATION THAT 28 | |
| 190 | - | THE ADMINISTRATION DETERM INES WOULD BE BENEFI CIAL TO APPLICANTS F OR A 29 | |
| 191 | - | DRIVER’S LICENSE. 30 SENATE BILL 471 5 | |
| 192 | - | ||
| 193 | - | ||
| 194 | - | (C) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS ES TABLISHING 1 | |
| 195 | - | CRITERIA FOR CERTIFY ING A PRIVATE ENTITY TO OFFER THE 3–HOUR ROADWAY 2 | |
| 196 | - | SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER THIS SECTION . 3 | |
| 197 | - | ||
| 198 | - | SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 4 | |
| 199 | - | October 1, 2025. 5 | |
| 200 | - | ||
| 201 | - | ||
| 202 | - | ||
| 203 | - | ||
| 204 | - | Approved: | |
| 205 | - | ________________________________________________________________________________ | |
| 206 | - | Governor. | |
| 207 | - | ________________________________________________________________________________ | |
| 208 | - | President of the Senate. | |
| 209 | - | ________________________________________________________________________________ | |
| 210 | - | Speaker of the House of Delegates. |