Traffic Control Signal Monitoring and Speed Monitoring Systems - Exemptions From Liability - Vehicle Rental Companies

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0921*

SENATE BILL 921
R5 6lr2793
CF 6lr1612
By: Senators Harris and Charles
Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2026
Assigned to: Judicial Proceedings

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ACT concerning 1

Traffic Control Signal Monitoring and Speed Monitoring Systems – Exemptions 2
From Liability – Vehicle Rental Companies 3

FOR the purpose of repealing the exemptions for a motor vehicle that is owned by a motor 4
vehicle rental or leasing company or that displays certain registration plates from 5
liability for citations produced as a result of images recorded by a traffic control 6
signal monitoring system or a speed monitoring system; and generally relating to 7
exemptions fr om liability under traffic control signal monitoring and speed 8
monitoring programs. 9

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 10
Article – Transportation 11
Section 21–202.1(a)(1) and (5), (c), and (d)(1) and 21–809(a)(1) and (9) and (b)(1)(i) 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 14

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 15
Article – Transportation 16
Section 21–202.1(a)(3) and 21–809(a)(4) 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

Article – Transportation 22

21–202.1. 23

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 24

2 SENATE BILL 921

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

[(ii) “Owner” does not include a motor vehicle rental or leasing 3
company or a holder of a special registration plate issued under Title 13, Subtitle 9, Part 4
III of this article.] 5

(5) “Traffic control signal monitoring system” means a device with one or 6
more motor vehicle sensors working in conjunction with a traffic control signal to produce 7
recorded images of motor vehicles entering an intersection against a red signal indication. 8

(c) This section applies to a violation of § 21 –202(h) of this subtitle at an 9
intersection monitored by a traffic control signal monitoring system. 10

(d) (1) Unless the driver of the motor vehicle received a citation from a police 11
officer at the time of the violation, the owner or, in accordance with subsection (g)(5) of this 12
section, the driver of a motor vehicle is subject to a civil penalty if the motor vehicle is 13
recorded by a traffic control signal monitoring syst em while being operated in violation of 14
§ 21–202(h) of this subtitle. 15

21–809. 16

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 17

(4) [(i)] “Owner” means the registered owner of a motor vehicle or a 18
lessee of a motor vehicle [under a lease of 6 months or more]. 19

[(ii) “Owner” does not include: 20

1. A motor vehicle rental or leasing company; or 21

2. A holder of a special registration plate issued under Title 22
13, Subtitle 9, Part III of this article.] 23

(9) “Speed monitori ng system” means a device with one or more motor 24
vehicle sensors producing recorded images of motor vehicles traveling at speeds at least 12 25
miles per hour above the posted speed limit. 26

(b) (1) (i) 1. A speed monitoring system may not be used by a local 27
jurisdiction under this section unless its use is authorized by the governing body of the local 28
jurisdiction by local law enacted after reasonable notice and a public hearing. 29

2. The State Highway Administration may use speed 30
monitoring systems on Interstate 83 in Baltimore County and Interstate 695 in Baltimore 31
County in accordance with this section. 32

SENATE BILL 921 3

3. The Maryland Transportation Authority may use speed 1
monitoring systems on Maryland Route 200 (Intercounty Connector) in accordance with 2
this section. 3

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 4
October 1, 2026. 5