Town of Rising Sun - Stop Sign Monitoring Systems - Authorization of Pilot Program

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING 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.
*hb1370*

HOUSE BILL 1370
R5 6lr3102

By: Delegate Hornberger
Introduced and read first time: February 13, 2026
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 9, 2026

CHAPTER ______

AN ACT concerning 1

Town of Rising Sun – Stop Sign Monitoring Systems – Authorization of Pilot 2
Program 3

FOR the purpose of authorizing the use of stop sign monitoring systems on State highways 4
in the Town of Rising Sun, if authorized by local law and if the location is approved 5
by the Cecil County Council Board of Commissioners of the Town of Rising Sun; and 6
generally relating to the use of stop sign monitoring systems in the Town of Rising 7
Sun. 8

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 9
Article – Transportation 10
Section 21–707 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 13

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 14
Article – Transportation 15
Section 21–707.1 16
Annotated Code of Maryland 17
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 18

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 19
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 20

Article – Transportation 21
2 HOUSE BILL 1370

21–707. 1

(a) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic control signal, the driver 2
of a vehicle approaching a stop sign at an intersection shall stop at the near side of the 3
intersection at a clearly marked stop line. 4

(b) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic control signal, the driver 5
of a vehicle approaching a stop sign at an intersection shall stop at the near side of the 6
intersection and, if there is no clearly marked stop line, before entering any crosswalk. 7

(c) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic control signal, the driver 8
of a vehicle approaching a stop sign at an intersection shall stop at the near side of an 9
intersection and, if there i s no crosswalk, at the nearest point before entering the 10
intersection that gives the driver a view of traffic approaching on the intersecting roadway. 11

(d) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign at an intersection, if required 12
for safety to stop , shall stop at the near side of the intersection at a clearly marked stop 13
line. 14

(e) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign at an intersection, if required 15
for safety to stop, shall stop at the near side of the intersection and, if there is no clearly 16
marked stop line, before entering any crosswalk. 17

(f) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign at an intersection, if required 18
for safety to stop, shall stop at the near side of the intersection and, if there is no crosswalk, 19
at the nearest point before entering the intersection that gives the driver a view of traffic 20
approaching on the intersecting roadway. 21

21–707.1. 22

(a) This section applies only in Prince George’s County, the 45th and 46th 23
Legislative Districts in Baltimore City, THE TOWN OF RISING SUN, and the City of 24
Takoma Park. 25

(b) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 26

(2) “Agency” means [a]: 27

(I) A law enforcement agency that is authorized to issue a citation 28
for a violation of the Maryland Vehicle Law or of local traffic laws or regulations; OR 29

(II) IN THE TOWN OF RISING SUN, THE STATE HIGHWAY 30
ADMINISTRATION. 31

HOUSE BILL 1370 3

(3) (i) “Owner” means the registered owner of a motor vehicle or lessee 1
of a motor vehicle under a lease of 6 months or more. 2

(ii) “Owner” does not include: 3

1. A motor vehicle leasing company; or 4

2. A holder of a special registration plate issued under Title 5
13, Subtitle 9, Part III of this article. 6

(4) “Recorded image” means images recorded by a stop sign monitoring 7
system: 8

(i) On: 9

1. Two or more photographs; 10

2. Two or more microphotographs; 11

3. Two or more electronic images; 12

4. Videotape; or 13

5. Any other medium; and 14

(ii) Showing a motor vehicle and, on at least one image or portion of 15
tape, clearly identifying the registration plate number of the motor vehicle. 16

(5) “Stop sign monitoring system” means a device designed to capture a 17
recorded image of a violation. 18

(6) (i) “Violation” means a failure to come to a complete stop at a stop 19
sign in violation of § 21–707 of this subtitle. 20

(ii) “Violation” does not include any action a driver is instructed to 21
take by a police officer. 22

(c) (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) through (5) of this subsection, an agency may 23
use stop sign monitoring systems: 24

(i) On highways located in a school zone maintained by a local 25
jurisdiction, if authorized by the governing body of the local jurisdiction; [or] 26

(ii) On State highways located in a school zone, if authorized by the 27
State Highway Administration; OR 28

4 HOUSE BILL 1370

(III) ON ANY STATE HIGHWAY IN THE TOWN OF RISING SUN, IF 1
AUTHORIZED BY THE 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 body of the local jurisdiction by local law enacted 5
after reasonable notice and a public hearing; [and] 6

(ii) In Prince George’s Cou nty, may only be used at a location 7
approved by the Prince George’s County Council; AND 8

(III) IN THE TOWN OF RISING SUN, MAY BE USED ONLY AT A 9
LOCATION APPROVED BY THE CECIL COUNTY COUNCIL BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 10
OF THE TOWN OF RISING SUN. 11

(3) Prince George’s County shall prioritize the placement of stop sign 12
monitoring systems within municipalities that have high violation rates. 13

(4) Before beginning use of stop sign monitoring systems, an agency shall 14
publish notice that the agency has adopted the use of stop sign monitoring systems on its 15
website and, in Baltimore City [and], Prince George’s County, AND THE TOWN OF RISING 16
SUN only, in a newspaper of general circulation in the jurisdiction in which the stop sign 17
monitoring system will be used. 18

(5) (i) A local jurisdiction that implements a stop sign monitoring 19
system shall prominently place signs on highways within the local jurisdiction providing 20
notice that stop sign monitoring systems are used in the local jurisdiction. 21

(ii) The State Highway Administration shall place signs prominently 22
providing notice that stop sign monitoring systems are in use on State highways. 23

(d) A recorded image under this section indicating that the driver of a motor 24
vehicle has committed a violation shall include: 25

(1) The time and date of the violation; and 26

(2) To the extent possible, the location of the violation. 27

(e) (1) Unless the driver of the motor vehicle received a citation from a police 28
officer at the time of the violation, the owner or, in accordance with subsection (f)(3) or (h)(4) 29
or (5) of this section, the driver of a motor vehicle is subject to a civil penalty if the motor 30
vehicle is recorded by a stop sign monitoring system during the commission of a violation. 31

(2) A civil penalty under this subsection may not exceed $40. 32

HOUSE BILL 1370 5

(3) For purposes of this section, the District Court shall prescribe: 1

(i) A uniform citation form consistent with subsection (f)(1) of this 2
section and § 7–302 of the Courts Article; and 3

(ii) A civil penalty, which shall be indicated on the citation, to be paid 4
by persons who choose to prepay the civil penalty without appearing in District Court. 5

(f) (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (2) through (5) of this 6
subsection, an agency shall mail to the owner liable under subsection (e) of this section a 7
citation that shall include: 8

(i) The name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle; 9

(ii) The registration plate number of the motor vehicle involved in 10
the violation; 11

(iii) The violation charged; 12

(iv) To the extent possible, the location of the violation; 13

(v) The date and time of the violation; 14

(vi) A copy of the recorded image; 15

(vii) The amount of the civil penalty imposed and the date by which 16
the civil penalty must be paid; 17

(viii) A signed statement by a technician employed by the agency that, 18
based on the inspection of the recorded image, the motor vehicle was being operated during 19
the commission of a violation; 20

(ix) A statement that the recorded image is evidence of a violation; 21
and 22

(x) Information advising the person alleged to be liable under this 23
section: 24

1. Of the manner and time in which liability as alleged in the 25
citation may be contested in the District Court; and 26

2. That failure to pay the civil penalty or to contest liability 27
in a timely manner is an admission of liability and may result in refusal or suspension of 28
the motor vehicle registration. 29

(2) The agency may mail a warning notice in place of a citation to the owner 30
liable under subsection (e) of this section. 31
6 HOUSE BILL 1370

(3) (i) Before mailing a citation to a motor vehicle rental company liable 1
under subsection (e) of this section, an agency shall mail a notice to the motor vehicle rental 2
company stating that a citation will be mailed to the motor vehicle rental company unless, 3
within 45 days after receiving the notice, the motor vehicle rental company provides the 4
agency with: 5

1. A statement made under oath that states the name and 6
last known mailing address of the individual driving or renting the motor vehicle when the 7
violation occurred; 8

2. A. A statement made under oath that states that the 9
motor vehicle rental company is unable to determine who was driving the vehicle at the 10
time the violation occurred because the motor vehicle was stolen at the time of the violation; 11
and 12

B. A copy of the police report associated with the motor 13
vehicle theft claimed under item A of this item; or 14

3. Payment for the penalty associated with the violation. 15

(ii) An agency m ay not mail a citation to a motor vehicle rental 16
company liable under subsection (e) of this section if the motor vehicle rental company 17
complies with subparagraph (i) of this paragraph. 18

(4) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection and sub section 19
(h)(4) and (5) of this section, a citation issued under this section shall be mailed not later 20
than 2 weeks after the alleged violation. 21

(5) A person who receives a citation under paragraph (1) of this subsection 22
may: 23

(i) Pay the civil penal ty in accordance with instructions on the 24
citation; or 25

(ii) Elect to stand trial for the alleged violation. 26

(g) (1) A certificate alleging that a violation occurred, sworn to or affirmed by 27
a duly authorized law enforcement officer employed by or und er contract with an agency, 28
based on the inspection of a recorded image, shall be evidence of the facts contained in the 29
certificate and shall be admissible in any proceeding concerning the alleged violation. 30

(2) Adjudication of liability shall be based on preponderance of the 31
evidence. 32

(h) (1) The District Court may consider in defense of a violation: 33

HOUSE BILL 1370 7

(i) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, that the motor vehicle 1
or registration plates of the motor vehicle were stolen before the violation occurred and 2
were not under the control or possession of the owner at the time of the violation; 3

(ii) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, evidence that the 4
person named in the citation was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; and 5

(iii) Any other issues and evidence that the District Court considers 6
pertinent. 7

(2) To demonstrate that the motor vehicle or the registration plates were 8
stolen before the violation occurred and were not under the control or possession of the 9
owner at the time of the violation, the owner must submit proof that a police report about 10
the stolen motor vehicle or registration plates was filed in a timely manner. 11

(3) To satisfy the evidentiary burden under paragraph (1)(ii) of this 12
subsection, the person named in the citation shall provide to the District Court evidence to 13
the satisfaction of the District Court of who was operating the vehicle at the time of the 14
violation, including, at a minimum, the operator’s name and current address. 15

(4) (i) The provisions of this paragraph apply only to a citation that 16
involves a Class E (truck) vehicle with a registered gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more, 17
Class F (tractor) vehicle, Class G (trailer) vehicle operated in combination with a Class F 18
(tractor) vehicle, or Class P (passenger bus) vehicle. 19

(ii) To satisfy the evidentiary burden under paragraph (1)(ii) of this 20
subsection, the person named in a citation described under subparagraph (i) of this 21
paragraph may provide to the District Court a letter, sworn to or affirmed by the person 22
and mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, that: 23

1. States that the person named in the citation was not 24
operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; and 25

2. Provides the name, addres s, and driver’s license 26
identification number of the person who was operating the vehicle at the time of the 27
violation. 28

(5) (i) If the District Court finds that the person named in the citation 29
was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation or receives evidence under 30
paragraph (4)(ii)2 of this subsection identifying the person driving the vehicle at the time 31
of the violation, the clerk of court shall provide to the agency issuing the citation a copy of 32
any evidence substantiating who was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation. 33

(ii) On receipt of substantiating evidence from the District Court 34
under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the agency may issue a citation as provided in 35
subsection (f) of this section to the person who the evidence indicates was operating the 36
vehicle at the time of the violation. 37
8 HOUSE BILL 1370

(iii) A citation issued under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph shall 1
be mailed not later than 2 weeks after receipt of the evidence from the District Court. 2

(i) If the civil penalty is not paid and the violation is not contested, the 3
Administration may refuse to register or reregister or may suspend the registration of the 4
motor vehicle. 5

(j) A violation for which a civil penalty is imposed under this section: 6

(1) Is not a moving violation for the purpose of assessing points under § 7
16–402 of this article and may not be recorded by the Administration on the driving record 8
of the owner or driver of the vehicle; and 9

(2) May not be considered in the provision of mot or vehicle insurance 10
coverage. 11

(k) (1) In consultation with law enforcement agencies, the Chief Judge of the 12
District Court shall adopt procedures for the issuance of citations, trials for violations, and 13
the collection of civil penalties imposed under this section. 14

(2) The standards and requirements for the use, processing, and disposal 15
of recorded images and associated data established under § 12 –113.1 of this article apply 16
to citations issued under this section. 17

(l) (1) An agency or an agent or a contractor designated by the agency shall 18
administer and process civil citations issued under this section in coordination with the 19
District Court. 20

(2) If a contractor in any manner operates a stop sign monitoring system 21
or administers or processes citations generated by a stop sign monitoring system on behalf 22
of a local jurisdiction, the contractor’s fee may not be contingent on a per –ticket basis on 23
the number of citations issued or paid. 24

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 25
1, 2026. It shall remain effective for a period of 3 years and, at the end of June 30, 2029, 26
this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and 27
of no further force and effect. 28