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.
Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
*sb0600*
SENATE BILL 600
R5 (5lr2669)
ENROLLED BILL
— Judicial Proceedings/Environment and Transportation —
Introduced by Senator McCray
Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
_______ day of _______________ at __ ______________________ o’clock, ________M.
______________________________________________
President.
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Baltimore City and Takoma Park – Stop Sign Monitoring Systems – 2
Authorization of Pilot Program 3
FOR the purpose of authorizing the use of stop sign monitoring systems in certain school 4
zones in Baltimore City and the City of Takoma Park under the pilot program 5
authorized for Prince George’s County, if authorized by local law; requiring that a 6
certain percentage of the fines collected under this Act be distributed to the local 7
management board for Baltimore City and be used only for certain purposes; 8
providing that the owner or driver of a motor vehicle recorded failing to obey a stop 9
sign is subject to a citation and a certain civil penalty under certain circumstances; 10
establishing certain defenses to a charge of an alleged violation recorded by a stop 11
sign monitoring system; prohibiting a contractor administering a stop sign 12
monitoring system from being compensated in a certain manner; requiring that a 13
certain percentage of the fines collected under this Act be distributed to the local 14
management board for Baltimore City and be used only for certain purposes; and 15 2 SENATE BILL 600
generally relating to the use of stop sign monitoring systems in Baltimore City and 1
the City of Takoma Park. 2
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 3
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 4
Section 4–401(13), 7–302(e)(1)(i), (3), and (4)(i), and 10–311(g) 5
Annotated Code of Maryland 6
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 7
BY adding to 8
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 9
Section 7–302(e)(6) 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 12
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 13
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 14
Section 7–302(e)(1) through (4) and 10–311(f) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 17
(As enacted by Section 3 of Chapter 678 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024) 18
BY adding to 19
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 20
Section 7–302(e)(6) and 10–311(f) 21
Annotated Code of Maryland 22
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 23
(As enacted by Section 3 of Chapter 678 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024) 24
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 25
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 26
Section 7–302(e)(4)(i) 7–302(e)(3) and (4)(i) 27
Annotated Code of Maryland 28
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 29
BY adding to 30
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 31
Section 7–302(e)(6) 32
Annotated Code of Maryland 33
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 34
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 35
Article – Transportation 36
Section 21–707 37
Annotated Code of Maryland 38
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 39
SENATE BILL 600 3
BY adding to repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 1
Article – Transportation 2
Section 21–707.2 21–707.1 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 4
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 5
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 6
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 7
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 8
7–302. 9
(e) (1) (i) A citation issued pursuant to § 21–202.1, § 21–706.1, § 21–707.1, 10
§ 21–707.2, § 21–809, § 21–810, § 21–1134, § 22–612, or § 24–111.3 of the Transportation 11
Article shall provide that the person receiving the citation may elect to stand trial by 12
notifying the issuing agency of the person’s intention to stand trial at least 5 days prior to 13
the date of payment as set forth in the citation. 14
(3) [Civil] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (6) OF THIS 15
SUBSECTION, CIVIL penalties resulting from citations issued using a vehicle height 16
monitoring system, traffic control signal monitoring system, speed monitoring system, 17
work zone speed control system, stop sign monitoring system, school bus monitoring 18
camera, bus lane monitoring system, or noise abatement monitoring system that are 19
collected by the District Court shall be collected in accordance with subsection (a) of this 20
section and distributed in accordance with § 12–118 of the Transportation Article. 21
(4) (i) Except as provided in [paragraph (5)] PARAGRAPHS (5) AND 22
(6) of this subsection, from the fines collected by a political subdivision as a result of 23
violations enforced by speed monitoring systems, work zone speed control systems, stop 24
sign monitoring systems, school bus monitoring cameras, bus lane monitoring systems, or 25
noise abatement monitoring systems, a political subdivision: 26
1. May recover the costs of implementing and administering 27
the speed monitoring systems, work zone speed control systems, school bus monitoring 28
cameras, or bus lane monitoring systems, or noise abatement monitoring systems; and 29
2. Subject to subparagraphs (ii), (iii), and (iv) of this 30
paragraph, may spend any remaining balance solely for public safety purposes, including 31
pedestrian or highway safety programs. 32
(6) FROM THE FINES COLLEC TED BY BALTIMORE CITY OR THE 33
DISTRICT COURT AS A RESULT O F VIOLATIONS ENFORCE D BY A STOP SIGN 34
MONITORING SYSTEM , 50% SHALL BE: 35
4 SENATE BILL 600
(I) DISTRIBUTED TO THE LO CAL MANAGEMENT BOARD FOR 1
BALTIMORE CITY; AND 2
(II) USED ONLY FOR PROVIDI NG YOUTH PROGRAMMING AND 3
SERVICES FOR YOUTH L IVING IN OR ATTENDIN G A SCHOOL LOCA TED IN THE 45TH 4
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT . 5
10–311. 6
(g) A recorded image of a motor vehicle produced by a stop sign monitoring system 7
in accordance with § 21–707.1 OR § 21–707.2 of the Transportation Article is admissible 8
in a proceeding concerning a civil citation issued under that section for a violation of § 9
21–707 of the Transportation Article without authentication. 10
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 11
as follows: 12
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 13
7–302. 14
(e) (1) (i) A citation issued pursuant to § 21–202.1, § 21–706.1, § 21–707.2, 15
§ 21–809, § 21–810, § 21–1134, or § 24–111.3 of the Transportation Article shall provide 16
that the person receiving the citation may elect to stand trial by notifying the issuing 17
agency of the person’s intention to stand trial at least 5 days prior to the date of payment 18
as set forth in the citation. 19
(ii) On receipt of the notice to stand trial, the agency shall forward 20
to the District Court having venue a copy of the citation and a copy of the notice from the 21
person who received the citation indicating the person’s intention to stand trial. 22
(iii) On receipt thereof, the District Court shall schedule the case for 23
trial and notify the defendant of the trial date under procedures adopted by the Chief Judge 24
of the District Court. 25
(2) (i) A citation issued as the result of a vehicle height monitoring 26
system, a traffic control signal monitoring system, a speed monitoring system, a work zone 27
speed control system OR A STOP SIGN MONIT ORING SYSTEM controlled by a political 28
subdivision, a school bus monitoring camera, or a bus lane monitoring system shall provide 29
that, in an uncontested case, the penalty shall be paid directly to that political subdivision. 30
(ii) A citation issued as the result of a traffic control signal 31
monitoring system or a work zone speed control system controlled by a State agency, or as 32
a result of a vehicle height monitoring system, a traffic control signal monitoring system, a 33
speed monitoring system, A STOP SIGN MONITORI NG SYSTEM, a school bus monitoring 34 SENATE BILL 600 5
camera, or a bus lane monitoring system in a case contested in District Court, shall provide 1
that the penalty shall be paid directly to the District Court. 2
(3) Civil EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (6) OF THIS 3
SUBSECTION, CIVIL penalties resulting from citations issued using a vehicle height 4
monitoring system, traffic control signal monitoring system, speed monitoring system, 5
work zone speed control system, STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEM, school bus monitoring 6
camera, or bus lane monitoring system that are collected by the District Court shall be 7
collected in accordance with subsection (a) of this section and distributed in accordance 8
with § 12–118 of the Transportation Article. 9
(4) (i) Except as provided in paragraph (5) PARAGRAPHS (5) AND (6) 10
of this subsection, from the fines collected by a political subdivision as a result of violations 11
enforced by speed monitoring systems, work zone speed control systems, STOP SIGN 12
MONITORING SYSTEMS , school bus monitoring cameras, or bus lane monitoring systems, 13
a political subdivision: 14
1. May recover the costs of implementing and administering 15
the speed monitoring systems, work zone speed control systems, STOP SIGN MONITORING 16
SYSTEMS, school bus monitoring cameras, or bus lane monitoring systems; and 17
2. Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, may spend 18
any remaining balance solely for public safety purposes, including pedestrian or highway 19
safety programs. 20
(ii) 1. For any fiscal year, if the balance remaining from the fines 21
collected by a political subdivision as a result of violations enforced by speed monitoring 22
systems, after the costs of implementing and administering the systems are recovered in 23
accordance with subparagraph (i)1 of this paragraph, is greater than 10% of the total 24
revenues of the political subdivision for the fiscal year, the political subdivision shall remit 25
any funds that exceed 10% of the total revenues to the Comptroller. 26
2. The Comptroller shall deposit any money remitted under 27
this subparagraph to the General Fund of the State. 28
(6) FROM THE FINES COLLEC TED BY BALTIMORE CITY OR THE 29
DISTRICT COURT AS A RESULT OF VIOLATIONS ENFORCED BY A STOP SIGN 30
MONITORING SYSTEM , 50% SHALL BE: 31
(I) DISTRIBUTED TO THE LOCAL MA NAGEMENT BOARD FOR 32
BALTIMORE CITY; AND 33
(II) USED ONLY FOR PROVIDI NG YOUTH PROGRAMMING AND 34
SERVICES FOR YOUTH L IVING IN OR ATTENDIN G A SCHOOL LOCATED I N THE 45TH 35
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT . 36 6 SENATE BILL 600
10–311. 1
(F) A RECORDED IMAGE OF A MOTOR VEHI CLE PRODUCED BY A ST OP SIGN 2
MONITORING SYSTEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 21–707.2 OF THE TRANSPORTATION 3
ARTICLE IS ADMISSIBLE IN A PROCEEDING CONC ERNING A CIVIL CITAT ION ISSUED 4
UNDER THAT SECTION F OR A VIOLATION OF § 21–707.2 OF THE TRANSPORTATION 5
ARTICLE WITHOU T AUTHENTICATION . 6
[(f)] (G) In any other judicial proceeding, a recorded image produced by a vehicle 7
height monitoring system, traffic control signal monitoring system, speed monitoring 8
system, work zone speed control system, STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEM, school bus 9
monitoring camera, or bus lane monitoring system is admissible as otherwise provided by 10
law. 11
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 12
as follows: 13
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 14
4–401. 15
Except as provided in § 4–402 of this subtitle, and subject to the venue provisions of 16
Title 6 of this article, the District Court has exclusive original civil jurisdiction in: 17
(13) A proceeding for a civil infraction under § 21–202.1, § 21–704.1, § 18
21–706.1, § 21–707.1, § 21–707.2, § 21–809, § 21–810, § 21–1134, § 22–612, or § 24–111.3 19
of the Transportation Article or § 10–112 of the Criminal Law Article; 20
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 21
7–302. 22
(e) (4) (3) [Civil] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (6) OF THIS 23
SUBSECTION, CIVIL penalties resulting from citations issued using a vehicle height 24
monitoring system, traffic control signal monitoring system, speed monitoring system, work 25
zone speed control system, stop sign monitoring system, school bus monitoring camera, bus 26
lane monitoring system, or a noise abatement monitoring system that are collected by the 27
District Court shall be collected in accordance with subsection (a) of this section and 28
distributed in accordance with § 12–118 of the Transportation Article. 29
(4) (i) Except as provided in paragraph (5) PARAGRAPHS (5) AND (6) 30
of this subsection, from the fines collected by a political subdivision as a result of violations 31
enforced by speed monitoring systems, work zone speed control systems, stop sign monitoring 32
systems, school bus monitoring cameras, bus lane monitoring systems, or noise abatement 33
monitoring systems, a political subdivision: 34 SENATE BILL 600 7
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, bus lane monitoring systems, or noise abatement 3
monitoring systems; and 4
2. Subject to subparagraphs (ii), (iii), and (iv) of this 5
paragraph, may spend any remaining balance solely for public safety purposes, including 6
pedestrian or highway safety programs. 7
(6) FROM THE FINES COLLEC TED BY BALTIMORE CITY OR THE 8
DISTRICT COURT AS A RESULT OF VIOLATIONS ENFORCED BY A STOP SIGN 9
MONITORING SY STEM LOCATED IN BALTIMORE CITY, 50% SHALL BE: 10
(I) DISTRIBUTED TO THE LO CAL MANAGEMENT BOARD FOR 11
BALTIMORE CITY; AND 12
(II) 1. FROM THE FINES COLLEC TED AS A RESULT OF 13
VIOLATIONS ENFORCED BY A STOP SIGN MONIT ORING SYSTEM LOCATED IN THE 45TH 14
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT, USED ONLY FOR PROVID ING YOUTH PROGRAMMIN G AND 15
SERVICES FOR YOUTH L IVING IN OR ATTENDIN G A SCHOOL LOCATED I N THE 45TH 16
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT ; OR 17
2. FROM THE FINES COLLEC TED AS A RESULT OF 18
VIOLATIONS ENFORCED BY A STOP SIGN MONIT ORING SYSTEM LO CATED IN THE 46TH 19
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT , USED ONLY FOR PROVID ING YOUTH PROGRAMMIN G AND 20
SERVICES FOR YOUTH L IVING IN OR ATTENDIN G A SCHOOL LOCATED I N THE 46TH 21
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT . 22
Article – Transportation 23
21–707. 24
(a) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic control signal, the driver 25
of a vehicle approaching a stop sign at an intersection shall stop at the near side of the 26
intersection at a clearly marked stop line. 27
(b) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic control signal, the driver 28
of a vehicle approaching a stop sign at an intersection shall stop at the near side of the 29
intersection and, if there is no clearly marked stop line, before entering any crosswalk. 30
(c) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic control signal, the driver 31
of a vehicle approaching a stop sign at an intersection shall stop at the near side of an 32
intersection and, if there is no crosswalk, at the nearest point before entering the 33
intersection that gives the driver a view of traffic approaching on the intersecting roadway. 34 8 SENATE BILL 600
(d) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign at an intersection, if required 1
for safety to stop, shall stop at the near side of the intersection at a clearly marked stop 2
line. 3
(e) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign at an intersection, if required 4
for safety to stop, shall stop at the near side of the intersection and, if there is no clearly 5
marked stop line, before entering any crosswalk. 6
(f) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign at an intersection, if required 7
for safety to stop, shall stop at the near side of the intersection and, if there is no crosswalk, 8
at the nearest point before entering the intersection that gives the driver a view of traffic 9
approaching on the intersecting roadway. 10
21–707.2. 11
(A) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY IN BALTIMORE CITY. 12
(B) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 13
INDICATED. 14
(2) “AGENCY” MEANS A LAW ENFORCEM ENT AGENCY THAT IS 15
AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE A CITATION FOR A VIO LATION OF THE MARYLAND VEHICLE 16
LAW OR OF LOCAL TRAFF IC LAWS OR REGULATIO NS. 17
(3) (I) “OWNER” MEANS THE REGISTERED OWNER OF A MOTOR 18
VEHICLE OR LESSEE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE UNDE R A LEASE OF 6 MONTHS OR MORE . 19
(II) “OWNER” DOES NOT INCLUDE : 20
1. A MOTOR VEHICLE LEASING COMPANY ; OR 21
2. A HOLDER OF A SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATE 22
ISSUED UNDER TITLE 13, SUBTITLE 9, PART III OF THIS ARTICLE. 23
(4) “RECORDED IMAGE ” MEANS IMAGES RECORDE D BY A STOP SIGN 24
MONITORING SYSTEM : 25
(I) ON: 26
1. TWO OR MORE PHOTOGRAP HS; 27
2. TWO OR MORE MICROPHOT OGRAPHS; 28
3. TWO OR MORE ELECTRONI C IMAGES; 29 SENATE BILL 600 9
4. VIDEOTAPE; OR 1
5. ANY OTHER MEDIUM ; AND 2
(II) SHOWING A MOTOR VEHIC LE AND, ON AT LEAST ONE IMAG E 3
OR PORTION OF TAPE , CLEARLY IDENTIFYING THE REGISTRATION PLA TE NUMBER 4
OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE . 5
(5) “STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEM” MEANS A DEVICE DESIG NED 6
TO CAPTURE A RECORDE D IMAGE OF A VIOLATI ON. 7
(6) (I) “VIOLATION” MEANS A FAILURE TO C OME TO A COMPLETE 8
STOP AT A STOP SIGN IN VIOLATION OF § 21–707 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 9
(II) “VIOLATION” DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY ACTION A DRIVER IS 10
INSTRUCTED TO TAKE B Y A POLICE OFFICER . 11
(C) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPHS (2) THROUGH (4) OF THIS 12
SUBSECTION, AN AGENCY MAY USE ST OP SIGN MONITORING S YSTEMS: 13
(I) ON HIGHWAYS LOCATED I N A SCHOOL ZONE IN THE 45TH 14
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT AND MAINTAINED BY BALTIMORE CITY, IF AUTHORIZED BY 15
THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE CITY; OR 16
(II) ON STATE HIGHWAYS LOCATE D IN A SCHOOL ZONE IN THE 17
45TH LEGISLATIVE DISTR ICT, IF AUTHORI ZED BY THE STATE HIGHWAY 18
ADMINISTRATION . 19
(2) A STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEM MAY NOT BE US ED UNDER THIS 20
SECTION UNLESS ITS U SE IS AUTHORIZED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE 21
CITY BY LOCAL LAW ENA CTED AFTER REASONABL E NOTICE AND A PUBLI C HEARING. 22
(3) BEFORE BEGINNING USE O F STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEMS , 23
AN AGENCY SHALL PUBL ISH NOTICE THAT THE AGENCY HAS ADOPTED T HE USE OF 24
STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEMS ON ITS WEBSI TE AND IN A NEWSPAPE R OF 25
GENERAL CIRCULATION IN BALTIMORE CITY. 26
(4) (I) THE CITY SHALL PROMINENTLY PLACE SI GNS ON 27
HIGHWAYS WITHIN THE CITY PROVIDING NOTICE THAT STOP SIGN MONITORING 28
SYSTEMS ARE USED IN THE CITY. 29
10 SENATE BILL 600
(II) THE STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION SHALL PLACE 1
SIGNS PROMINENTLY PR OVIDING NOTICE THAT STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEMS 2
ARE IN USE ON STATE HIGHWAYS . 3
(D) A RECORDED IMAGE UNDER THIS SECTION INDICAT ING THAT THE 4
DRIVER OF A MOTOR VE HICLE HAS COMMITTED A VIOLATION SHALL IN CLUDE: 5
(1) THE TIME AND DATE OF THE VIOLATION; AND 6
(2) TO THE EXTENT POSSIBL E, THE LOCATION OF THE VIOLATION. 7
(E) (1) UNLESS THE DRIVER OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE RE CEIVED A 8
CITATION FROM A POLI CE OFFICER AT THE TI ME OF THE VIOLATION , THE OWNER 9
OR, IN ACCORDANCE WITH S UBSECTION (F)(3) OR (H)(4) OR (5) OF THIS SECTION , 10
THE DRIVER OF A MOTO R VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO A CIVIL P ENALTY IF THE MOTOR 11
VEHICLE IS RECORDED BY A STOP SIGN MONIT ORING SYSTEM DURING THE 12
COMMISSION OF A VIOL ATION. 13
(2) A CIVIL PENALTY UNDER THIS SUBSECTION MAY NOT EXCEED $40. 14
(3) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE DISTRICT COURT SHAL L 15
PRESCRIBE: 16
(I) A UNIFORM CITATION FOR M CONSISTENT WITH 17
SUBSECTION (F)(1) OF THIS SECTION AND § 7–302 OF THE COURTS ARTICLE; AND 18
(II) A CIVIL PENALTY , WHICH SHALL BE INDIC ATED ON THE 19
CITATION, TO BE PAID BY PERSON S WHO CHOOSE TO PREP AY THE CIVIL PENALTY 20
WITHOUT APPEARING IN DISTRICT COURT. 21
(F) (1) SUBJECT TO THE PROVIS IONS OF PARAGRAPHS (2) THROUGH (5) 22
OF THIS SUBSECTION , AN AGENCY SHALL MAIL TO THE OWNER LIABLE UNDER 23
SUBSECTION (E) OF THIS SECTION A CI TATION THAT SHALL IN CLUDE: 24
(I) THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE R EGISTERED OWNER OF 25
THE MOTOR VEHICLE ; 26
(II) THE REGISTRATION NUMB ER OF THE MOTOR VEHI CLE 27
INVOLVED IN THE VIOL ATION; 28
(III) THE VIOLATION CHARGED ; 29
(IV) TO THE EXTENT POSSIBL E, THE LOCATION OF THE 30
VIOLATION; 31 SENATE BILL 600 11
(V) THE DATE AND TIME OF THE VIOLATIO N; 1
(VI) A COPY OF THE RECORDED IMAGE; 2
(VII) THE AMOUNT OF THE CIV IL PENALTY IMPOSED A ND THE 3
DATE BY WHICH THE CI VIL PENALTY MUST BE PAID; 4
(VIII) A SIGNED STATEMENT BY A TECHNICIAN EMPLOYE D BY THE 5
AGENCY THAT , BASED ON THE INSPECTION OF THE RE CORDED IMAGE , THE MOTOR 6
VEHICLE WAS BEING OP ERATED DURING THE CO MMISSION OF A VIOLAT ION; 7
(IX) A STATEMENT THAT THE R ECORDED IMAGE IS EVI DENCE OF 8
A VIOLATION; AND 9
(X) INFORMATION ADVISING THE PERSON ALLEGED T O BE 10
LIABLE UNDER THI S SECTION: 11
1. OF THE MANNER AND TIM E IN WHICH LIABILITY AS 12
ALLEGED IN THE CITAT ION MAY BE CONTESTED IN THE DISTRICT COURT; AND 13
2. THAT FAILURE TO PAY T HE CIVIL PENALTY OR TO 14
CONTEST LIABILITY IN A TIMELY MANNER IS A N ADMISSION OF LIABI LITY AND MAY 15
RESULT IN REFUSAL OR SUSPENSION OF THE MO TOR VEHICLE REGISTRA TION. 16
(2) THE AGENCY MAY MAIL A WARNING NOTICE IN PL ACE OF A 17
CITATION TO THE OWNE R LIABLE UNDER SUBSE CTION (E) OF THIS SECTION. 18
(3) (I) BEFORE MAILING A CITA TION TO A MOTOR VEHI CLE 19
RENTAL COMPANY LIABLE UN DER SUBSECTION (E) OF THIS SECTION , AN AGENCY 20
SHALL MAIL A NOTICE TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE RENTAL COMPANY STATI NG THAT A 21
CITATION WILL BE MAI LED TO THE MOTOR VEH ICLE RENTAL COMPANY UNLESS, 22
WITHIN 45 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE NOTICE, THE MOTO R VEHICLE RENTAL 23
COMPANY PROVIDES THE AGENCY WITH: 24
1. A STATEMENT MADE UNDER OATH THAT STATES THE 25
NAME AND LAST KNOWN MAILING ADDRESS OF T HE INDIVIDUAL DRIVIN G OR 26
RENTING THE MOTOR VE HICLE WHEN THE VIOLA TION OCCURRED ; 27
2. A. A STATEMENT MADE UNDER OATH THAT 28
STATES THAT THE MOTO R VEHICLE RENTAL COM PANY IS UNABLE TO DE TERMINE 29
WHO WAS DRIVING THE MOTOR VEHICLE AT THE TIME THE VIOLATION O CCURRED 30
BECAUSE THE MOTOR VE HICLE WAS STOLEN AT THE TIME OF THE VIOL ATION; AND 31
12 SENATE BILL 600
B. A COPY OF THE POLICE R EPORT ASSOCIATED WITH 1
THE MOTOR VEHICLE TH EFT CLAIMED UNDER IT EM A OF THIS ITEM; OR 2
3. PAYMENT FOR THE PENAL TY ASSOCIATED WITH T HE 3
VIOLATION. 4
(II) AN AGENCY MAY NOT MAI L A CITATION TO A MO TOR 5
VEHICLE RENTAL COMPA NY LIABLE UNDER SUBS ECTION (E) OF THIS SECTION IF 6
THE MOTOR VEHICLE RE NTAL COMPANY COMPLIE S WITH SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF 7
THIS PARAGRAPH . 8
(4) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION 9
AND SUBSECTION (H)(4) AND (5) OF THIS SECTION, A CITATION ISSUED UN DER THIS 10
SECTION SHALL BE MAI LED NOT LATER THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER THE ALLE GED 11
VIOLATION. 12
(5) A PERSON WHO RECEIVES A CITATION UNDER PAR AGRAPH (1) OF 13
THIS SUBSECTION MAY : 14
(I) PAY THE CIVIL PENALTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH 15
INSTRUCTIONS ON THE CITATION; OR 16
(II) ELECT TO STAND TRIAL FOR THE ALLEGED VIOLATION . 17
(G) (1) A CERTIFICATE ALLEGING THAT A VIOLATION OCC URRED, SWORN 18
TO OR AFFIRMED BY A DULY AUTHORIZED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER EMPLOYED 19
BY OR UNDER CONTRACT WITH AN AGENCY , BASED ON THE INSPECT ION OF A 20
RECORDED IMAGE , SHALL BE EVIDENCE OF THE FACTS CONTAINED IN THE 21
CERTIFICATE AND SHAL L BE ADMISSIBLE IN A NY PROCEEDING CONCER NING THE 22
ALLEGED VIOLATION . 23
(2) ADJUDICATION OF LIABI LITY SHALL BE BASED ON 24
PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE. 25
(H) (1) THE DISTRICT COURT MAY CONSIDER IN DEFENSE OF A 26
VIOLATION: 27
(I) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THAT 28
THE MOTOR VEHICLE OR REGISTRATION PLATES OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE WERE 29
STOLEN BEFORE THE VI OLATION OCCURRED AND WERE NOT UNDER THE C ONTROL 30
OR POSSESSION OF THE OWNER AT THE TIME OF THE VIOLATION; 31
SENATE BILL 600 13
(II) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 1
EVIDENCE THAT THE PE RSON NAMED IN THE CI TATION WAS NOT OPERA TING THE 2
MOTOR VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE VIOLATIO N; AND 3
(III) ANY OTHER ISSUES AND EVIDENCE THAT THE DISTRICT 4
COURT CONSIDERS PERTI NENT. 5
(2) TO DEMONSTRATE THAT T HE MOTOR VEHICLE OR THE 6
REGISTRATION PLATES WERE STOLEN BEFORE T HE VIOLATION OCCURRE D AND 7
WERE NOT UNDER THE C ONTROL OR POSSESSION OF THE OWNER AT THE TIME OF 8
THE VIOLATION , THE OWNER MUST SUBMI T PROOF THAT A POLIC E REPORT ABOUT 9
THE STOLEN MOTOR VEH ICLE OR REGISTRATION PLATES WAS FILED IN A TIMELY 10
MANNER. 11
(3) TO SATISFY THE EVIDEN TIARY BURDEN UNDER P ARAGRAPH 12
(1)(II) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE PERSON NAMED IN THE CITATION SHALL P ROVIDE 13
TO THE DISTRICT COURT EVIDENCE TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE DISTRICT 14
COURT OF WHO WAS OPER ATING THE MOTOR VEHI CLE AT THE TIME OF T HE 15
VIOLATION, INCLUDING, AT A MINIMUM , THE OPERATOR ’S NAME AND CURRENT 16
ADDRESS. 17
(4) (I) THE PROVISIONS OF THI S PARAGRAPH APPLY ON LY TO A 18
CITATION THAT INVOLV ES A CLASS E (TRUCK) VEHICLE WITH A REGIS TERED GROSS 19
WEIGHT OF 26,001 POUNDS OR MORE , CLASS F (TRACTOR) VEHICLE, CLASS G 20
(TRAILER) VEHICLE OPERATED IN COMBINATION WITH A CLASS F (TRACTOR) 21
VEHICLE, OR CLASS P (PASSENGER BUS ) VEHICLE. 22
(II) TO SATISFY THE EVIDE NTIARY BURDEN UNDER 23
PARAGRAPH (1)(II) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE PERSON NAMED IN A CITATION 24
DESCRIBED UNDER SUBP ARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH MA Y PROVIDE TO THE 25
DISTRICT COURT A LETTER , SWORN TO OR AFFIRMED BY THE PERSON AND MA ILED 26
BY CERTIFIED MAIL , RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED , THAT: 27
1. STATES THAT THE PERSO N NAMED IN THE CITAT ION 28
WAS NOT OPERATING TH E MOTOR VEHICLE AT T HE TIME OF THE VIOLA TION; AND 29
2. PROVIDES THE NAME , ADDRESS, AND DRIVER ’S 30
LICENSE IDENTIFICATI ON NUMBER OF THE PER SON WHO WAS OPERATING THE 31
MOTOR VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE VIOLATIO N. 32
(5) (I) IF THE DISTRICT COURT FINDS THAT THE PERSON NAMED 33
IN THE CITATION WAS NOT OPERATING THE MO TOR VEHICLE AT THE T IME OF THE 34
VIOLATION OR RECEIVE S EVIDENCE UNDER PAR AGRAPH (4)(II)2 OF THIS 35
SUBSECTION IDENTIFYING THE PERSON DRIVING T HE MOTOR VEHICLE AT THE TIME 36 14 SENATE BILL 600
OF THE VIOLATION, THE CLERK OF COURT S HALL PROVIDE TO THE AGENCY ISSUING 1
THE CITATION A COPY OF ANY EVIDENCE SUBS TANTIATING WHO WAS O PERATING 2
THE MOTOR VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE VIOL ATION. 3
(II) ON RECEIPT OF SUBSTAN TIATING EVIDENCE FRO M THE 4
DISTRICT COURT UNDER SUBPARAGR APH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , THE AGENCY 5
MAY ISSUE A CITATION AS PROVIDED IN SUBSE CTION (F) OF THIS SECTION TO T HE 6
PERSON WHO THE EVIDE NCE INDICATES WAS OP ERATING THE MO TOR VEHICLE AT 7
THE TIME OF THE VIOL ATION. 8
(III) A CITATION ISSUED UNDE R SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 9
PARAGRAPH SHALL BE M AILED NOT LATER THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER RECEIPT OF THE 10
EVIDENCE FROM THE DISTRICT COURT. 11
(I) IF THE CIVIL PENALTY IS NOT PAID AND THE VIOLATION IS NOT 12
CONTESTED, THE ADMINISTRATION MAY RE FUSE TO REGISTER OR REREGISTER OR 13
MAY SUSPEND THE REGI STRATION OF THE MOTO R VEHICLE. 14
(J) A VIOLATION FOR WHICH A CIVIL PENALTY IS I MPOSED UNDER THIS 15
SECTION: 16
(1) IS NOT A MOVING VIOLA TION FOR THE PU RPOSE OF ASSESSING 17
POINTS UNDER § 16–402 OF THIS ARTICLE AND MAY NOT BE RECORDED BY THE 18
ADMINISTRATION ON THE DRIVING RECORD OF TH E OWNER OR DRIVER OF THE 19
MOTOR VEHICLE ; AND 20
(2) MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED IN THE PROVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLE 21
INSURANCE COVERAGE . 22
(K) IN CONSULTATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGEN CIES, THE CHIEF 23
JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT COURT SHALL ADOPT PRO CEDURES FOR THE ISSU ANCE 24
OF CITATIONS, TRIALS FOR VIOLATION S, AND THE COLLECTION O F CIVIL PENALTIES 25
IMPOSED UNDER THIS S ECTION. 26
(L) (1) AN AGENCY OR AN AGENT OR A CON TRACTOR DESIGNATED B Y THE 27
AGENCY SHALL ADMINIS TER AND PROCESS CIVI L CITATIONS ISSUED U NDER THIS 28
SECTION IN COORDINAT ION WITH THE DISTRICT COURT. 29
(2) IF A CONTRACTOR IN AN Y MANNER OPERATES A STOP SIGN 30
MONITORING SYSTEM OR ADMINISTERS OR PROCESSES CITATIO NS GENERATED BY 31
A STOP SIGN MONITORI NG SYSTEM ON BEHALF OF BALTIMORE CITY, THE 32
CONTRACTOR ’S FEE MAY NOT BE CON TINGENT ON A PER –TICKET BASIS ON THE 33
NUMBER OF CITATIONS ISSUED OR PAID. 34
SENATE BILL 600 15
21–707.1. 1
(a) This section applies only in Prince George’s County, THE 45TH AND 46TH 2
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS IN BALTIMORE CITY, AND THE CITY OF TAKOMA PARK. 3
(b) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 4
(2) “Agency” means a law enforcement agency that is authorized to issue a 5
citation for a violation of the Maryland Vehicle Law or of local traffic laws or regulations. 6
(3) (i) “Owner” means the registered owner of a motor vehicle or lessee of 7
a motor vehicle under a lease of 6 months or more. 8
(ii) “Owner” does not include: 9
1. A motor vehicle leasing company; or 10
2. A holder of a special registration plate issued under Title 11
13, Subtitle 9, Part III of this article. 12
(4) “Recorded image” means images recorded by a stop sign monitoring 13
system: 14
(i) On: 15
1. Two or more photographs; 16
2. Two or more microphotographs; 17
3. Two or more electronic images; 18
4. Videotape; or 19
5. Any other medium; and 20
(ii) Showing a motor vehicle and, on at least one image or portion of 21
tape, clearly identifying the registration plate number of the motor vehicle. 22
(5) “Stop sign monitoring system” means a device designed to capture a 23
recorded image of a violation. 24
(6) (i) “Violation” means a failure to come to a complete stop at a stop 25
sign in violation of § 21–707 of this subtitle. 26
(ii) “Violation” does not include any action a driver is instructed to 27
take by a police officer. 28
16 SENATE BILL 600
(c) (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) through (5) of this subsection, an agency may 1
use stop sign monitoring systems: 2
(i) On highways located in a school zone maintained by a local 3
jurisdiction, if authorized by the governing body of the local jurisdiction; or 4
(ii) On State highways located in a school zone, if authorized by the 5
State Highway Administration. 6
(2) A stop sign monitoring system: 7
(i) May not be used in a local jurisdiction under this section unless 8
its use is authorized by the governing body of the local jurisdiction by local law enacted after 9
reasonable notice and a public hearing; and 10
(ii) [May] IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MAY only be used at a 11
location approved by the Prince George’s County Council. 12
(3) [The county] PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY shall prioritize the 13
placement of stop sign monitoring systems within municipalities that have high violation 14
rates. 15
(4) Before beginning use of stop sign monitoring systems, an agency shall 16
publish notice that the agency has adopted the use of stop sign monitoring systems on its 17
website and, IN BALTIMORE CITY AND PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY ONLY , in a 18
newspaper of general circulation in the jurisdiction in which the stop sign monitoring system 19
will be used. 20
(5) (i) [The county] A LOCAL JURISDICTION T HAT IMPLEMENTS A 21
STOP SIGN MONITORING SYSTEM shall prominently place signs on highways within the 22
[county] LOCAL JURISDICTION providing notice that stop sign monitoring systems are 23
used in the [county] LOCAL JURISDICTION . 24
(ii) The State Highway Administration shall place signs prominently 25
providing notice that stop sign monitoring systems are in use on State highways. 26
(d) A recorded image under this section indicating that the driver of a motor 27
vehicle has committed a violation shall include: 28
(1) The time and date of the violation; and 29
(2) To the extent possible, the location of the violation. 30
(e) (1) Unless the driver of the motor vehicle received a citation from a police 31
officer at the time of the violation, the owner or, in accordance with subsection (f)(3) or (h)(4) 32 SENATE BILL 600 17
or (5) of this section, the driver of a motor vehicle is subject to a civil penalty if the motor 1
vehicle is recorded by a stop sign monitoring system during the commission of a violation. 2
(2) A civil penalty under this subsection may not exceed $40. 3
(3) For purposes of this section, the District Court shall prescribe: 4
(i) A uniform citation form consistent with subsection (f)(1) of this 5
section and § 7–302 of the Courts Article; and 6
(ii) A civil penalty, which shall be indicated on the citation, to be paid 7
by persons who choose to prepay the civil penalty without appearing in District Court. 8
(f) (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (2) through (5) of this subsection, 9
an agency shall mail to the owner liable under subsection (e) of this section a citation that 10
shall include: 11
(i) The name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle; 12
(ii) The registration PLATE number of the motor vehicle involved in 13
the violation; 14
(iii) The violation charged; 15
(iv) To the extent possible, the location of the violation; 16
(v) The date and time of the violation; 17
(vi) A copy of the recorded image; 18
(vii) The amount of the civil penalty imposed and the date by which 19
the civil penalty must be paid; 20
(viii) A signed statement by a technician employed by the agency that, 21
based on the inspection of the recorded image, the motor vehicle was being operated during 22
the commission of a violation; 23
(ix) A statement that the recorded image is evidence of a violation; and 24
(x) Information advising the person alleged to be liable under this 25
section: 26
1. Of the manner and time in which liability as alleged in the 27
citation may be contested in the District Court; and 28
18 SENATE BILL 600
2. That failure to pay the civil penalty or to contest liability 1
in a timely manner is an admission of liability and may result in refusal or suspension of 2
the motor vehicle registration. 3
(2) The agency may mail a warning notice in place of a citation to the owner 4
liable under subsection (e) of this section. 5
(3) (i) Before mailing a citation to a motor vehicle rental company liable 6
under subsection (e) of this section, an agency shall mail a notice to the motor vehicle rental 7
company stating that a citation will be mailed to the motor vehicle rental company unless, 8
within 45 days after receiving the notice, the motor vehicle rental company provides the 9
agency with: 10
1. A statement made under oath that states the name and last 11
known mailing address of the individual driving or renting the motor vehicle when the 12
violation occurred; 13
2. A. A statement made under oath that states that the 14
motor vehicle rental company is unable to determine who was driving the vehicle at the time 15
the violation occurred because the motor vehicle was stolen at the time of the violation; and 16
B. A copy of the police report associated with the motor vehicle 17
theft claimed under item A of this item; or 18
3. Payment for the penalty associated with the violation. 19
(ii) An agency may not mail a citation to a motor vehicle rental 20
company liable under subsection (e) of this section if the motor vehicle rental company 21
complies with subparagraph (i) of this paragraph. 22
(4) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection and subsection 23
(h)(4) and (5) of this section, a citation issued under this section shall be mailed not later 24
than 2 weeks after the alleged violation. 25
(5) A person who receives a citation under paragraph (1) of this subsection 26
may: 27
(i) Pay the civil penalty in accordance with instructions on the 28
citation; or 29
(ii) Elect to stand trial for the alleged violation. 30
(g) (1) A certificate alleging that a violation occurred, sworn to or affirmed by 31
a duly authorized law enforcement officer employed by or under contract with an agency, 32
based on the inspection of a recorded image, shall be evidence of the facts contained in the 33
certificate and shall be admissible in any proceeding concerning the alleged violation. 34
SENATE BILL 600 19
(2) Adjudication of liability shall be based on preponderance of the evidence. 1
(h) (1) The District Court may consider in defense of a violation: 2
(i) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, that the motor vehicle 3
or registration plates of the motor vehicle were stolen before the violation occurred and were 4
not under the control or possession of the owner at the time of the violation; 5
(ii) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, evidence that the 6
person named in the citation was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; and 7
(iii) Any other issues and evidence that the District Court considers 8
pertinent. 9
(2) To demonstrate that the motor vehicle or the registration plates were 10
stolen before the violation occurred and were not under the control or possession of the owner 11
at the time of the violation, the owner must submit proof that a police report about the stolen 12
motor vehicle or registration plates was filed in a timely manner. 13
(3) To satisfy the evidentiary burden under paragraph (1)(ii) of this 14
subsection, the person named in the citation shall provide to the District Court evidence to 15
the satisfaction of the District Court of who was operating the vehicle at the time of the 16
violation, including, at a minimum, the operator’s name and current address. 17
(4) (i) The provisions of this paragraph apply only to a citation that 18
involves a Class E (truck) vehicle with a registered gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more, 19
Class F (tractor) vehicle, Class G (trailer) vehicle operated in combination with a Class F 20
(tractor) vehicle, or Class P (passenger bus) vehicle. 21
(ii) To satisfy the evidentiary burden under paragraph (1)(ii) of this 22
subsection, the person named in a citation described under subparagraph (i) of this 23
paragraph may provide to the District Court a letter, sworn to or affirmed by the person and 24
mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, that: 25
1. States that the person named in the citation was not 26
operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; and 27
2. Provides the name, address, and driver’s license 28
identification number of the person who was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation. 29
(5) (i) If the District Court finds that the person named in the citation 30
was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation or receives evidence under 31
paragraph (4)(ii)2 of this subsection identifying the person driving the vehicle at the time of 32
the violation, the clerk of court shall provide to the agency issuing the citation a copy of any 33
evidence substantiating who was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation. 34
20 SENATE BILL 600
(ii) On receipt of substantiating evidence from the District Court 1
under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the agency may issue a citation as provided in 2
subsection (f) of this section to the person who the evidence indicates was operating the 3
vehicle at the time of the violation. 4
(iii) A citation issued under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph shall 5
be mailed not later than 2 weeks after receipt of the evidence from the District Court. 6
(i) If the civil penalty is not paid and the violation is not contested, the 7
Administration may refuse to register or reregister or may suspend the registration of the 8
motor vehicle. 9
(j) A violation for which a civil penalty is imposed under this section: 10
(1) Is not a moving violation for the purpose of assessing points under § 11
16–402 of this article and may not be recorded by the Administration on the driving record 12
of the owner or driver of the vehicle; and 13
(2) May not be considered in the provision of motor vehicle insurance 14
coverage. 15
(k) In consultation with law enforcement agencies, the Chief Judge of the District 16
Court shall adopt procedures for the issuance of citations, trials for violations, and the 17
collection of civil penalties imposed under this section. 18
(l) (1) An agency or an agent or a contractor designated by the agency shall 19
administer and process civil citations issued under this section in coordination with the 20
District Court. 21
(2) If a contractor in any manner operates a stop sign monitoring system or 22
administers or processes citations generated by a STOP SIGN monitoring system on behalf 23
of a local jurisdiction, the contractor’s fee may not be contingent on a per–ticket basis on the 24
number of citations issued or paid. 25
SECTION 4. 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before December 1, 26
2026 2027, the Baltimore City Department of Transportation shall and the City of Takoma 27
Park, respectively, shall each report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of 28
the State Government Article, the General Assembly on: 29
(1) through October 1, 2026 2027: 30
(i) the time period during which stop sign monitoring systems were 31
in use in the City local jurisdiction; and 32
(ii) the number of warnings and citations issued as a result of 33
violations recorded by a stop sign monitoring system in the City local jurisdiction over the 34
reported time period, by location and date; 35 SENATE BILL 600 21
(2) (i) the costs associated with implementing and operating stop sign 1
monitoring systems; and 2
(ii) the revenue collected on a monthly basis as a result of violations 3
recorded by stop sign monitoring systems; 4
(3) appropriate locations for the deployment of stop sign monitoring 5
systems; 6
(4) the performance and reliability of stop sign monitoring systems used by 7
the City local jurisdiction; and 8
(5) the effectiveness of stop sign monitoring systems in reducing violations, 9
crashes, and pedestrian injuries in the City local jurisdiction and in areas where the stop 10
sign monitoring systems were implemented and used. 11
SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 2 of this Act shall take 12
effect on the taking effect of the termination provision specified in Section 3 of Chapter 678 13
of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024. If that termination provision takes effect, 14
Section 1 of this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be 15
abrogated and of no further force and effect. This Act may not be interpreted to have any 16
effect on that termination provision. 17
SECTION 6. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That , subject to the provisions 18
of Section 5 of this Act, this Act shall take effect July 1, 2025. It shall remain effective for 19
a period of 5 4 years and, at the end of June 30, 2030 2029, this Act, with no further action 20
required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect. 21
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.