EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0761*
SENATE BILL 761
R4 5lr2574
By: Senator McCray (By Request – Baltimore City Administration)
Introduced and read first time: January 27, 2025
Assigned to: Judicial Proceedings
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Motor Vehicles – Installment Payment Plans – Automated Enforcement 2
FOR the purpose of authorizing civil penalties issued under an automated traffic 3
enforcement program to be included in an installment payment plan agreement with 4
the clerk of the court; and generally relating to the inclusion of civil penalties issued 5
under automated traffic enforcement programs in an installment payment plan 6
agreement. 7
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 9
Section 7–504.1 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 12
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 13
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 14
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 15
7–504.1. 16
(a) This section applies to a defendant who is required to pay a fine OR CIVIL 17
PENALTY for one or more traffic offenses, including one or more citations for a violation of 18
a parking ordinance or regulation adopted under Title 26, Subtitle 3 of the Transportation 19
Article. 20
(b) (1) The District Court or a circuit court may authorize the clerk of the court 21
to approve an individual installment plan agreement in accordance with this section for the 22
payment of: 23
2 SENATE BILL 761
(i) One or more citations for a payable violation issued under § 1
26–201 of the Transportation Article; [or] 2
(ii) One or more fines imposed at a hearing or trial by the court; OR 3
(III) ONE OR MORE CIVIL CIT ATIONS ISSUED UNDER AN 4
AUTOMATED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM. 5
(2) A defendant who agrees to enter into an installment plan agreement for 6
the payment of one or more citations OR CIVIL CITATIONS under paragraph [(1)(i)] (1) of 7
this subsection consents to conviction OR CIVIL LIABILITY, AS APPROPRIATE , at the time 8
of the agreement. 9
(c) (1) A defendant who is sentenced to pay one or more fines OR CIVIL 10
PENALTIES that total at least $150 and certifies that the defendant is unable to pay the 11
fine [or], fines, CIVIL PENALTY, OR CIVIL PENALTIE S may apply to the clerk of the court 12
to make installment payments in accordance with this section. 13
(2) An installment plan agreement under this section shall: 14
(i) Require that the defendant make installment payments on the 15
total amount of the fine [or], fines, CIVIL PENALTY, OR CIVIL PENALTIES covered by the 16
agreement; and 17
(ii) Specify the offenses and citations to which the agreement 18
applies. 19
(3) As a condition of an installment plan agreement, a defendant who 20
enters into the agreement shall inform the clerk of the court of any change of address during 21
the term of the agreement. 22
(4) (i) If a defendant fails to pay a fine OR CIVIL PENALTY in 23
accordance with an installment plan agreement under this section, the clerk of the court 24
may: 25
1. Refer the amount of the unpaid outstanding fine OR CIVIL 26
PENALTY to the Central Collection Unit of the Department of Budget and Management; or 27
2. Process the unpaid outstanding fine OR CIVIL PENALTY 28
as it would other outstanding fines OR CIVIL PENALTIES owed the court. 29
(ii) The clerk of the court shall provide notice to the defendant of the 30
disposition of the unpaid outstanding fine OR CIVIL PENALTY under subparagraph (i) of 31
this paragraph in the same manner required for other outstanding fines OR CIVIL 32
PENALTIES processed in the same manner. 33 SENATE BILL 761 3
(d) The requirements of subsection (c) of this section shall be posted in the clerk’s 1
office and on the website of the court. 2
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 3
October 1, 2025. 4