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*hb0601*
HOUSE BILL 601
R5, L2 6lr0854
By: Montgomery County Delegation
Introduced and read first time: January 28, 2026
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
Committee Report: Favorable
House action: Adopted
Read second time: February 22, 2026
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Montgomery County – Stop Sign Monitoring Systems Pilot Program – 2
Gaithersburg and Rockville 3
MC 5–26 4
FOR the purpose of authorizing the use of stop sign monitoring systems in school zones in 5
the City of Gaithersburg and the City of Rockville under the pilot program 6
authorized for Prince George’s County, certain school zones in Baltimore City, and 7
the City of Takoma Park, if authorized by local law; and generally relating to the use 8
of stop sign monitoring systems in the City of Gaithersburg and the City of Rockville. 9
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 10
Article – Transportation 11
Section 21–707 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 14
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 15
Article – Transportation 16
Section 21–707.1 17
Annotated Code of Maryland 18
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 19
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 20
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 21
2 HOUSE BILL 601
Article – Transportation 1
21–707. 2
(a) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic control signal, the driver 3
of a vehicle approaching a stop sign at an intersection shall stop at the near side of the 4
intersection at a clearly marked stop line. 5
(b) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic control signal, the driver 6
of a vehicle approaching a stop sign at an intersection shall stop at the near side of the 7
intersection and, if there is no clearly marked stop line, before entering any crosswalk. 8
(c) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic control signal, the driver 9
of a vehicle approach ing a stop sign at an intersection shall stop at the near side of an 10
intersection and, if there is no crosswalk, at the nearest point before entering the 11
intersection that gives the driver a view of traffic approaching on the intersecting roadway. 12
(d) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign at an intersection, if required 13
for safety to stop, shall stop at the near side of the intersection at a clearly marked stop 14
line. 15
(e) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign at an intersection, if required 16
for safety to stop, shall stop at the near side of the intersection and, if there is no clearly 17
marked stop line, before entering any crosswalk. 18
(f) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign at an intersection, if required 19
for safety to stop, shall stop at the near side of the intersection and, if there is no crosswalk, 20
at the nearest point before entering the intersection that gives the driver a view of traffic 21
approaching on the intersecting roadway. 22
21–707.1. 23
(a) This section applies only in: 24
(1) Prince George’s County[, the]; 25
(2) THE 45th and 46th Legislative Districts in Baltimore City[,]; 26
(3) THE CITY OF GAITHERSBURG; 27
(4) THE CITY OF ROCKVILLE; and [the] 28
(5) THE City of Takoma Park. 29
(b) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 30
HOUSE BILL 601 3
(2) “Agency” means a law enforcement agency that is authorized to issue a 1
citation for a violation of the Maryland Vehicle Law or of local traffic laws or regulations. 2
(3) (i) “Owner” means the registered owner of a motor vehicle or lessee 3
of a motor vehicle under a lease of 6 months or more. 4
(ii) “Owner” does not include: 5
1. A motor vehicle leasing company; or 6
2. A holder of a special registration plate issued under Title 7
13, Subtitle 9, Part III of this article. 8
(4) “Recorded image” means images recorded by a stop sign monitoring 9
system: 10
(i) On: 11
1. Two or more photographs; 12
2. Two or more microphotographs; 13
3. Two or more electronic images; 14
4. Videotape; or 15
5. Any other medium; and 16
(ii) Showing a motor vehicle and, on at least one image or portion of 17
tape, clearly identifying the registration plate number of the motor vehicle. 18
(5) “Stop sign monitoring system” means a device designed to capture a 19
recorded image of a violation. 20
(6) (i) “Violation” means a failure to come to a complete stop at a stop 21
sign in violation of § 21–707 of this subtitle. 22
(ii) “Violation” does not include any action a driver is instructed to 23
take by a police officer. 24
(c) (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) through (5) of this subsection, an agency may 25
use stop sign monitoring systems: 26
(i) On highways located in a school zone maintained by a local 27
jurisdiction, if authorized by the governing body of the local jurisdiction; or 28
4 HOUSE BILL 601
(ii) On State highways located in a school zone, if authorized by the 1
State Highway Administration. 2
(2) A stop sign monitoring system: 3
(i) May not be used in a local jurisdiction under this section unless 4
its use is authorized by the governing bo dy of the local jurisdiction by local law enacted 5
after reasonable notice and a public hearing; and 6
(ii) In Prince George’s County, may only be used at a location 7
approved by the Prince George’s County Council. 8
(3) Prince George’s County shall prior itize the placement of stop sign 9
monitoring systems within municipalities that have high violation rates. 10
(4) Before beginning use of stop sign monitoring systems, an agency shall 11
publish notice that the agency has adopted the use of stop sign monitoring systems on its 12
website and, in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County only, in a newspaper of general 13
circulation in the jurisdiction in which the stop sign monitoring system will be used. 14
(5) (i) A local jurisdiction that implements a stop sign monitoring 15
system shall prominently place signs on highways within the local jurisdiction providing 16
notice that stop sign monitoring systems are used in the local jurisdiction. 17
(ii) The State Highway Administration shall place signs prominently 18
providing notice that stop sign monitoring systems are in use on State highways. 19
(d) A recorded image under this section indicating that the driver of a motor 20
vehicle has committed a violation shall include: 21
(1) The time and date of the violation; and 22
(2) To the extent possible, the location of the violation. 23
(e) (1) Unless the driver of the motor vehicle received a citation from a police 24
officer at the time of the violation, the owner or, in accordance with subsection (f)(3) or (h)(4) 25
or (5) of this section, the driver of a motor vehicle is subject to a civil penalty if the motor 26
vehicle is recorded by a stop sign monitoring system during the commission of a violation. 27
(2) A civil penalty under this subsection may not exceed $40. 28
(3) For purposes of this section, the District Court shall prescribe: 29
(i) A uniform citation form consistent with subsection (f)( 1) of this 30
section and § 7–302 of the Courts Article; and 31
HOUSE BILL 601 5
(ii) A civil penalty, which shall be indicated on the citation, to be paid 1
by persons who choose to prepay the civil penalty without appearing in District Court. 2
(f) (1) Subject to the provisi ons of paragraphs (2) through (5) of this 3
subsection, an agency shall mail to the owner liable under subsection (e) of this section a 4
citation that shall include: 5
(i) The name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle; 6
(ii) The registration plate number of the motor vehicle involved in 7
the violation; 8
(iii) The violation charged; 9
(iv) To the extent possible, the location of the violation; 10
(v) The date and time of the violation; 11
(vi) A copy of the recorded image; 12
(vii) The amount of the civil penalty imposed and the date by which 13
the civil penalty must be paid; 14
(viii) A signed statement by a technician employed by the agency that, 15
based on the inspection of the recorded image, the motor vehicle was being operated during 16
the commission of a violation; 17
(ix) A statement that the recorded image is evidence of a violation; 18
and 19
(x) Information advising the person alleged to be liable under this 20
section: 21
1. Of the manner and time in which liability as alleged in the 22
citation may be contested in the District Court; and 23
2. That failure to pay the civil penalty or to contest liability 24
in a timely manner is an admission of liability and may result in refusal or suspension of 25
the motor vehicle registration. 26
(2) The agency may mail a warning notice in place of a citation to the owner 27
liable under subsection (e) of this section. 28
(3) (i) Before mailing a citation to a motor vehicle rental company liable 29
under subsection (e) of this section, an agency shall mail a notice to the motor vehicle rental 30
company stating that a citation will be mailed to the motor vehicle rental company unless, 31
6 HOUSE BILL 601
within 45 days after receiving the notice, the motor vehicle rental company provides the 1
agency with: 2
1. A statement made und er oath that states the name and 3
last known mailing address of the individual driving or renting the motor vehicle when the 4
violation occurred; 5
2. A. A statement made under oath that states that the 6
motor vehicle rental company is unable to determine who was driving the vehicle at the 7
time the violation occurred because the motor vehicle was stolen at the time of the violation; 8
and 9
B. A copy of the police report associated with the motor 10
vehicle theft claimed under item A of this item; or 11
3. Payment for the penalty associated with the violation. 12
(ii) An agency may not mail a citation to a motor vehicle rental 13
company liable under subsection (e) of this section if the motor vehicle rental company 14
complies with subparagraph (i) of this paragraph. 15
(4) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection and subsection 16
(h)(4) and (5) of this section, a citation issued under this section shall be mailed not later 17
than 2 weeks after the alleged violation. 18
(5) A person who receives a citation under paragraph (1) of this subsection 19
may: 20
(i) Pay the civil penalty in accordance with instructions on the 21
citation; or 22
(ii) Elect to stand trial for the alleged violation. 23
(g) (1) A certificate alleging that a violation occurred, sworn to or affirmed by 24
a duly authorized law enforcement officer employed by or under contract with an agency, 25
based on the inspection of a recorded image, shall be evidence of the facts contained in the 26
certificate and shall be admissible in any proceeding concerning the alleged violation. 27
(2) Adjudication of liability shall be based on preponderance of the 28
evidence. 29
(h) (1) The District Court may consider in defense of a violation: 30
(i) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, that the motor vehicle 31
or registration plates of the motor vehicle were stolen before the violation occurred and 32
were not under the control or possession of the owner at the time of the violation; 33
HOUSE BILL 601 7
(ii) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, evidence that the 1
person named in the citation was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; and 2
(iii) Any other issues and evidence that the District Court considers 3
pertinent. 4
(2) To demonstrate that the motor vehicle or the registration plates were 5
stolen before the violation occurred and were not under the control or possession of the 6
owner at the time of the violation, the owner must submit proof that a police report about 7
the stolen motor vehicle or registration plates was filed in a timely manner. 8
(3) To satisfy the evidentiary burden under paragraph (1)(ii) of this 9
subsection, the person named in the citation shall provide to the District Court evidence to 10
the satisfaction of the District Court of who was operating the vehicle at the time of the 11
violation, including, at a minimum, the operator’s name and current address. 12
(4) (i) The provisions of this paragraph apply only to a citation that 13
involves a Class E (truck) vehicle with a registered gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more, 14
Class F (tractor) vehicle, Class G (trailer) vehicle operated in combination with a Class F 15
(tractor) vehicle, or Class P (passenger bus) vehicle. 16
(ii) To satisfy the evidentiary burden under paragraph (1)(ii) of this 17
subsection, the person named in a citation describe d under subparagraph (i) of this 18
paragraph may provide to the District Court a letter, sworn to or affirmed by the person 19
and mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, that: 20
1. States that the person named in the citation was not 21
operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; and 22
2. Provides the name, address, and driver’s license 23
identification number of the person who was operating the vehicle at the time of the 24
violation. 25
(5) (i) If the District Court finds that the person nam ed in the citation 26
was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation or receives evidence under 27
paragraph (4)(ii)2 of this subsection identifying the person driving the vehicle at the time 28
of the violation, the clerk of court shall provide to the agency issuing the citation a copy of 29
any evidence substantiating who was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation. 30
(ii) On receipt of substantiating evidence from the District Court 31
under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the agency may is sue a citation as provided in 32
subsection (f) of this section to the person who the evidence indicates was operating the 33
vehicle at the time of the violation. 34
(iii) A citation issued under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph shall 35
be mailed not later than 2 weeks after receipt of the evidence from the District Court. 36
8 HOUSE BILL 601
(i) If the civil penalty is not paid and the violation is not contested, the 1
Administration may refuse to register or reregister or may suspend the registration of the 2
motor vehicle. 3
(j) A violation for which a civil penalty is imposed under this section: 4
(1) Is not a moving violation for the purpose of assessing points under § 5
16–402 of this article and may not be recorded by the Administration on the driving record 6
of the owner or driver of the vehicle; and 7
(2) May not be considered in the provision of motor vehicle insurance 8
coverage. 9
(k) (1) In consultation with law enforcement agencies, the Chief Judge of the 10
District Court shall adopt procedures for the issuance of citations, trials for violations, and 11
the collection of civil penalties imposed under this section. 12
(2) The standards and requirements for the use, processing, and disposal 13
of recorded images and associated data established under § 12 –113.1 of this arti cle apply 14
to citations issued under this section. 15
(l) (1) An agency or an agent or a contractor designated by the agency shall 16
administer and process civil citations issued under this section in coordination with the 17
District Court. 18
(2) If a contractor in any manner operates a stop sign monitoring system 19
or administers or processes citations generated by a stop sign monitoring system on behalf 20
of a local jurisdiction, the contractor’s fee may not be contingent on a per –ticket basis on 21
the number of citations issued or paid. 22
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before December 1, 23
2028, the City of Gaithersburg and the City of Rockville, respectively, shall each report to 24
the Governor and, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of the State Government Article, the 25
General Assembly on: 26
(1) through October 1, 2028: 27
(i) the time period during which stop sign monitoring systems were 28
in use in the local jurisdiction; and 29
(ii) the number of warnings and citations issued as a result of 30
violations r ecorded by a stop sign monitoring system in the local jurisdiction over the 31
reported time period, by location and date; 32
(2) (i) the costs associated with implementing and operating stop sign 33
monitoring systems; and 34
HOUSE BILL 601 9
(ii) the revenue collected on a monthly basis as a result of violations 1
recorded by stop sign monitoring systems; 2
(3) appropriate locations for the deployment of stop sign monitoring 3
systems; 4
(4) the performance and reliability of stop sign monitoring systems used by 5
the local jurisdiction; and 6
(5) the effectiveness of stop sign monitoring systems in reducing violations, 7
crashes, and pedestrian injuries in the local jurisdiction generally and in areas where the 8
stop sign monitoring systems were implemented and used. 9
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 10
1, 2026. It shall remain effective for a period of 3 years and, at the end of June 30, 2029, 11
this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and 12
of no further force and effect. 13
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.