Maryland Enacts News Laws

On October 1, Maryland enacted hundreds of new laws surrounding transportation and pedestrian safety, employment, criminal justice, business, education, elections, health, environment, and immigration. Below are summaries of some of those laws:

Pedestrian Safety: SB 460 — Drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians will now face a maximum fine of $1,000. The fines will be collected into a Pedestrian Safety Fund, which will be used for traffic calming, enforcement and education. 

Electric Low-Speed Scooters: HB 748 — Electric low-speed scooters will now be categorized under the same class as bicycles. Operators will enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as bicyclists on roadways, and the same rights and restrictions as pedestrians on sidewalks and in crosswalks.

Electric Bicycles: SB 935 — Electric bicycles will now be categorized into three classes depending on motor functionality and speed, which will determine where the bicycles can be used. Minors under the age of 16 are not permitted to operate Class 3 bicycles (a motor that stops providing assistance at 28 mph) on public highways.

Driver’s Licenses: SB 237 — Drivers convicted of possessing revoked, suspended, or canceled licenses will no longer face incarceration and will be assessed 3 points for their violation. Prior to this change, convicted drivers faced a penalty of two months of incarceration and 12 points on their license.

Route 50 HOV lanes: SB 70 — Qualified hybrid vehicles are no longer permitted to operate in the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane on U.S. Route 50 between Interstate 95/495 and U.S. Route 301 without passengers. Electric vehicles will still be allowed to travel on this stretch without passengers.

Rescue Workers’ Compensation: HB 604 — Fire and rescue employees with at least 10 years of service in Maryland who suffer occupational diseases will be covered under workers’ compensation, allowing more employees to qualify for the benefits. Workers previously had to devote at least 10 years at one department to receive this benefit.

Informed Consent – Medical Exams: SB 909 — Health care practitioners are now required to obtain informed consent before performing prostate, rectal or pelvic exams on patients who are unconscious or under anesthesia.

Public Information Act & 911 Records: SB 5 — Employees responding to requests (filed through the MPIA) for 911 records of domestic violence, abuse, or sex crime victims must notify the victim or victim’s representative within 30 days of the request, and wait 10 days for a response on granting or denying public inspection. Employees responding to such requests may also redact portions of the record.

Organ Donation Leave & Insurance: SB 742 — All employees will be eligible for unpaid organ donation leave for 12 weeks in any year and up to 30 business days for bone marrow transplants. Starting in January 2020, insurance agencies will be prohibited from refusing to renew insurance policies to a donor based solely on their donation.