Vehicle Laws - Bus Obstruction Monitoring Systems and Bus Stop Zones

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.
*sb0936*

SENATE BILL 936
R5 6lr1358
HB 206/25 – ENT CF HB 1113
By: Senators West, Smith, and Waldstreicher
Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2026
Assigned to: Judicial Proceedings
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
Senate action: Adopted
Read second time: March 6, 2026

CHAPTER ______

AN ACT concerning 1

Vehicle Laws – Bus Obstruction Monitoring Systems and Bus Stop Zones 2

FOR the purpose of replacing references to a bus lane monitoring system with references 3
to a bus obstruction monitoring system; prohibiting a person from stopping, 4
standing, or parking a vehicle in a bus stop zone if a transit vehicle is present, subject 5
to certain exceptio ns; and generally relating to bus lane and bus stop zone 6
enforcement. 7

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 9
Section 7–302(e)(2) and 10–311(e) and (h) 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 12

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 13
Article – General Provisions 14
Section 4–321(b)(7) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 17

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 18
Article – Transportation 19
Section 7–101(a) and (n), 21–1003(a), and 21–1133 20
Annotated Code of Maryland 21
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 22
2 SENATE BILL 936

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 1
Article – Transportation 2
Section 12–113.1(b)(7) and 21–1134 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 4
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 5

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 6
Article – Transportation 7
Section 21–1003(a) and 21–1133 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 10

BY adding to 11
Article – Transportation 12
Section 21–1003(gg) 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 15

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 16
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 17

Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 18

7–302. 19

(e) (2) (i) A citation issued as the result of any of the following systems or 20
cameras controlled by a political subdivision shall provide that, in an uncontested case, the 21
penalty shall be paid directly to that political subdivision: 22

1. A vehicle height monitoring system; 23

2. A traffic control signal monitoring system; 24

3. A speed monitoring system; 25

4. A work zone speed control system; 26

5. A stop sign monitoring system; 27

6. A school bus monitoring camera; 28

7. A bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system; or 29

8. A noise abatement monitoring system. 30

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(ii) A citation issued as the result of any of the following systems or 1
cameras controlled by a political subdivision shall provide that, in a contested case, the 2
penalty shall be paid directly to the District Court: 3

1. A vehicle height monitoring system; 4

2. A traffic control signal monitoring system; 5

3. A speed monitoring system; 6

4. A work zone speed control system; 7

5. A stop sign monitoring system; 8

6. A school bus monitoring camera; 9

7. A bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system; or 10

8. A noise abatement monitoring system. 11

(iii) A citation issued as the result of any of the following systems or 12
cameras controlled by a State agency shall provide that, in an uncontested or contested 13
case, the penalty shall be paid directly to the District Court: 14

1. A traffic control signal monitoring system; 15

2. A work zone speed control system; 16

3. A speed monitoring system; or 17

4. A bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system. 18

10–311. 19

(e) A recorded image of a motor vehicle produced by a bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION 20
monitoring system in accordance with § 21–1134 of the Transportation Article is admissible 21
in a proceeding concerning a civil citation issued under that section for a violation of § 22
21–1003(GG) OR § 21–1133 of the Transportation Article without authentication. 23

(h) In any other judicial proceeding, a recorded image produced by a vehicle 24
height monitoring system, traffic control signal monitoring system, speed monitoring 25
system, work zone speed control system, stop sign monitoring system, school bus 26
monitoring camera, or bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system or a recorded image 27
and any relevant recorded audio produced by a noise abatement monitoring system in 28
conjunction with a noise measuring device is admissible as otherwise provided by law. 29

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Article – General Provisions 1

4–321. 2

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a custodian shall deny 3
inspection of recorded images produced by: 4

(7) a bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system operated under § 5
21–1134 of the Transportation Article; 6

Article – Transportation 7

7–101. 8

(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 9

(n) (1) “Transit corridor” means a geographically bound set of two or more 10
contiguous subway, light rail, bus rapid transit, or bus transit stations. 11

(2) “Transit corridor” includes a geographically bound set of two or more 12
contiguous bus transit stations that have fixed –route bus service that operates on a 13
roadway dedicated to buses. 14

12–113.1. 15

(b) This section applies to: 16

(7) Bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring systems under § 21–1134 of this 17
article; 18

21–1003. 19

(a) The provisions of this section apply except as necessary to avoid conflict with 20
other traffic or in compliance with law or the directions of a police officer or traffic c ontrol 21
device. 22

(GG) (1) (I) IN THIS SUBSECTION , “BUS STOP ZONE ” MEANS THE 23
PORTION OF ROADWAY D ESIGNATED OR USED FO R LOADING AND UNLOAD ING 24
PASSENGERS FROM A BUS OR TRANSIT VEHICLE. 25

(II) “BUS STOP ZONE” INCLUDES: 26

1. AN AREA FOR LOADING A ND UNLOADING 27
PASSENGERS FROM A BUS OR TRANSIT VEHICLE THAT IS DESIGNATED BY SIGNAGE 28
OR PAVEMENT MARKINGS OR IDENTIFIED IN A T RANSIT AGENCY ’S PUBLISHED 29
SCHEDULE OR ROUTE MAP; 30
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2. A BUS TRANSIT STATION; AND 1

3. A TRANSIT CORRIDOR , AS DEFINED IN § 7–101 OF 2
THIS ARTICLE, USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH A DESIGNATED BUS STOP. 3

(2) A PERSON MAY NOT STOP , STAND, OR PARK A VEHICLE IN A BUS 4
STOP ZONE IF A TRANSIT VEHICLE IS PRESENT IN THE BUS STOP ZONE UNLESS THE 5
PERSON: 6

(1) (I) IS AUTHORIZED BY THE LOCAL JURISDICTION IN WHIC H 7
THE BUS STOP ZONE IS LOCATED; OR 8

(2) (I) (II) 1. IS ACTIVELY ENGAGED I N THE LOADING OR 9
UNLOADING OF PASSENGERS; AND 10

(II) 2. HAS ACTIVATED THE VEH ICLE’S HAZARD WARNING 11
LIGHTS. 12

21–1133. 13

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person may not drive, 14
stand, or park a vehicle in a dedicated bus lane unless authorized by the local jurisdiction 15
in which the dedicated bus lane is located. 16

(b) The following vehicles may be driven, allowed to stand, or, as appropriate, 17
parked in a dedicated bus lane: 18

(1) A transit vehicle owned, operated, or contracted for by the Maryland 19
Transit Administration, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, or a local 20
department of transportation; 21

(2) A school bus; 22

(3) A bicycle; 23

(4) An emergency vehicle; and 24

(5) A vehicle making a right turn at the next immediate intersection. 25

21–1134. 26

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 27

(2) “Agency” means: 28

6 SENATE BILL 936

(i) A law enforcement agency of the State or a local political 1
subdivision that is authorized to issue a citation for a violation of the Maryland Vehicle 2
Law or of local traffic laws or regulations; 3

(ii) For a municipal corporation that does not maintain a police force, 4
an agency established or designated by the municipal corporation to use bus [lane] 5
OBSTRUCTION monitoring systems in accordance with this section; or 6

(iii) A local, regional, or statewide transit agency or authority, 7
including the Maryland Tra nsit Administration and the Washington Metropolitan Area 8
Transit Authority. 9

(3) “Bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system” means an enforcement 10
system, including an onboard or fixed monitoring system, that is designed to capture a 11
recorded image of a motor vehicle during the commission of a violation. 12

(4) “Bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system operator” means a 13
representative of an agency or a contractor that operates a bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION 14
monitoring system. 15

(5) (i) “Owner” means the registered owner of a motor vehicle or a 16
lessee of a motor vehicle under a lease of 6 months or more. 17

(ii) “Owner” does not include: 18

1. A motor vehicle leasing company; or 19

2. A holder of a special registration plate issued under Title 20
13, Subtitle 9, Part III of this article. 21

(6) “Recorded image” means an image recorded by a bus [lane] 22
OBSTRUCTION monitoring system: 23

(i) On: 24

1. A photograph; 25

2. A microphotograph; 26

3. An electronic image; 27

4. Videotape; or 28

5. Any other visual medium; and 29

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(ii) Showing a motor vehicle and, on at least one image or portion of 1
the recording, clearly identifying the registration plate number of the motor vehicle. 2

(7) “Violation” means a violation of: 3

(I) § 21–1003(GG) OF THIS TITLE; OR 4

(II) § 21–1133 of this subtitle. 5

(b) (1) An agency may use a bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system that 6
meets the requirements of this subsection to record the images of motor vehicles during the 7
commission of a violation. 8

(2) A bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system may be used only: 9

(i) When being operated by a bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring 10
system operator; 11

(ii) If, in accordance with the Maryland Manual on Uniform Traffic 12
Control Devices: 13

1. A conspicuous road sign is placed at a reasonable distance 14
consistent with national guidelines alerting drivers that a bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION 15
monitoring system may be in operation in the bus lane; or 16

2. A conspicuous sign is affixed to the transit vehicle alerting 17
drivers that the vehicle is equipped with a bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system; 18
and 19

(iii) If the BUS OBSTRUCTION MONITORING system produces video 20
for each alleged violation that allows for the differentiation between a vehicle that is 21
driving, standing, or parked in a dedicated bus lane in violation of § 21–1003(GG) OF THIS 22
TITLE OR § 21–1133 of this subtitle and a vehicle that is lawfully stopped or moving in 23
order to execute a right turn at an intersection. 24

(3) (i) A bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system may retain only 25
the images of vehicles that contain evidence of a violation. 26

(ii) Recorded images from a bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring 27
system: 28

1. That contain evidence of a violation may be retained for 29
up to 6 months or 60 days after final disposition of the citation, whichever is later; 30

2. That do not contain evidence of a violation shall be 31
destroyed within 15 days after the recorded images were first captured; and 32
8 SENATE BILL 936

3. May not be used for any purpose other than as evidence of 1
a violation without a warrant, subpoena, or court order. 2

(iii) A bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system may not use 3
biometric identification techniques, including facial recognition technology. 4

(c) (1) (i) A bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system operator shall 5
complete training by the manufacturer of the bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system 6
in the procedures for setting up, testing, and operating the bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION 7
monitoring system. 8

(ii) On completion of the training, the manu facturer shall issue a 9
signed certificate to the bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system operator. 10

(iii) The certificate of training shall be admitted as evidence in any 11
court proceeding for a violation. 12

(2) A bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system operator shall fill out 13
and sign a daily set–up log for each bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system that: 14

(i) States the date and time when the BUS OBSTRUCTION 15
MONITORING system was set up; 16

(ii) States that the bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system 17
operator successfully performed, and the device passed, the manufacturer –specified 18
self–tests of the bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system before producing a recorded 19
image; 20

(iii) Shall be kept on file; and 21

(iv) Shall be admitted as evidence in any court proceeding for a 22
violation. 23

(d) (1) A bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system shall undergo an 24
annual calibration check performed by an independent calibration laboratory. 25

(2) The independent calibration laboratory shall issue a signed certificate 26
of calibration after the annual calibration check that: 27

(i) Shall be kept on file; and 28

(ii) Shall be admitted as evidence in any court proceeding for a 29
violation [of § 21–1133 of this subtitle]. 30

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(e) (1) Unless the driver of the motor vehicle received a citation from a police 1
officer at the time of the violation, the owner or, in accordance with subsection (h)(5) of this 2
section, the driver of a motor vehicle is subject to a civil penalty if the motor vehi cle is 3
recorded by a bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system during the commission of a 4
violation. 5

(2) A civil penalty under this section may not exceed $75. 6

(3) For purposes of this section, the District Court shall prescribe: 7

(i) A uniform cit ation form consistent with subsection (f)(1) of this 8
section and § 7–302 of the Courts Article; and 9

(ii) A civil penalty, which shall be indicated on the citation, to be paid 10
by persons who choose to prepay the civil penalty without appearing in District Court. 11

(f) (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (2) through (5) of this 12
subsection, an agency or a contractor of the agency shall mail to the owner liable under 13
subsection (e) of this section a citation that shall include: 14

(i) The name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle; 15

(ii) The registration number of the motor vehicle involved in the 16
violation; 17

(iii) The violation charged; 18

(iv) To the extent possible, the location of the violation; 19

(v) The date and time of the violation; 20

(vi) A copy of the recorded image; 21

(vii) The amount of the civil penalty imposed and the date by which 22
the civil penalty must be paid; 23

(viii) A signed statement by a police officer employed by the local law 24
enforcement agency that, based on inspection of the recorded images, the motor vehicle was 25
being operated during the commission of a violation; 26

(ix) A statement that the recorded image is evidence of a violation; 27
and 28

(x) Information advising the person alleged to be liable under this 29
section: 30

10 SENATE BILL 936

1. Of the manner and time in which liability as alleged in the 1
citation may be contested in the District Court; and 2

2. That failure to pay the civil penalty or to contest liability 3
in a timely manner is an admission of liability and may result in refusal or suspension of 4
the motor vehicle registration. 5

(2) (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, an agency may 6
mail a warning notice in place of a citation to the owner liable under subsection (e) of this 7
section. 8

(ii) An agency shall mail a warning notice in place of a citation to an 9
owner liable under subsection (e) of this section for a violation recorded by a bus [lane] 10
OBSTRUCTION monitoring system during the first 45 days that the bus [lane] 11
OBSTRUCTION monitoring system is in operation. 12

(3) (i) Before mailing a citation to a motor vehicle rental company liable 13
under subsection (e) of this section, an agency shall mail a notice to the motor vehicle rental 14
company stating that a citation will be mailed to the motor vehicle rental company unless, 15
within 45 days after receiving the notice, the motor vehicle rental company provides the 16
agency with: 17

1. A statement made under oath that states the name and 18
last known mailing address of the individual driving or renting the motor vehicle when the 19
violation occurred; 20

2. A. A statement made under oath that states that the 21
motor vehicle rental company is unable to determine who was driving or renting the vehicle 22
at the time the violation occu rred because the motor vehicle was stolen at the time of the 23
violation; and 24

B. A copy of the police report associated with the motor 25
vehicle theft claimed under item A of this item; or 26

3. Payment for the penalty associated with the violation. 27

(ii) An agency may not mail a citation to a motor vehicle rental 28
company liable under subsection (e) of this section if the motor vehicle rental company 29
complies with subparagraph (i) of this paragraph. 30

(4) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this s ubsection and subsection 31
(h)(5) of this section, a citation issued under this section shall be mailed not later than 2 32
weeks after the alleged violation. 33

(5) A person who receives a citation under paragraph (1) of this subsection 34
may: 35

SENATE BILL 936 11

(i) Pay the civil penalty, in accordance with instructions on the 1
citation, directly to the local jurisdiction; or 2

(ii) Elect to stand trial in the District Court for the alleged violation. 3

(6) To mail the citation or warning notice, the Baltimore City Police 4
Department or a contractor of the police department shall use: 5

(i) The current mailing address on file with the Administration; or 6

(ii) If a mailing address is unavailable, the current residential 7
address on file with the Administration. 8

(g) (1) (i) A certificate alleging that a violation occurred, sworn to or 9
affirmed by a duly authorized law enforcement officer employed or under contract with an 10
agency, based on inspection of a recorded image produced by a bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION 11
monitoring system, shall be evidence of the facts contained in the certificate and shall be 12
admissible in any proceeding concerning the alleged violation without the presence or 13
testimony of the bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system operator who performed the 14
requirements under subsection (c) of this section. 15

(ii) If a person who received a citation under this section desires a 16
bus [lane] OBSTRUCTION monitoring system operator to be present and testify at trial, 17
the person shall notify the court and the agency in wri ting not later than 20 days before 18
trial. 19

(iii) 1. On request of a person who received a citation under this 20
section, video of the alleged violation shall be made available to the person. 21

2. Video evidence made available under subsubparagraph 1 22
of this subparagraph shall be admitted as evidence in any court proceeding for a violation 23
[of § 21–1133 of this subtitle]. 24

(2) Adjudication of liability shall be based on a preponderance of evidence. 25

(h) (1) The District Court may consider in defense of an alleged violation: 26

(i) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, that the motor vehicle 27
or registration plates of the motor vehicle were stolen before the violation occurred and 28
were not under the control or in the possession of the owner at the time of the violation; 29

(ii) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, evidence that the 30
person named in the citation was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; and 31

(iii) Any other issues and evidence that the District Court deems 32
relevant. 33

12 SENATE BILL 936

(2) To demonstrate that the motor vehicle or the registration plates were 1
stolen before the violation occurred and were not under the control or in the possession of 2
the owner at the time of the violation, the owner shall submit proof th at a police report 3
about the stolen motor vehicle or registration plates was filed in a timely manner. 4

(3) To satisfy the evidentiary burden under paragraph (1)(ii) of this 5
subsection, the person named in the citation shall provide to the District Court evidence to 6
the satisfaction of the District Court of who was operating the vehicle at the time of the 7
violation, including, at a minimum, the operator’s name and current address. 8

(4) (i) This paragraph applies only to a citation that involves a Class E 9
(truck) vehicle with a registered gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more, a Class F (tractor) 10
vehicle, a Class G (trailer) vehicle operated in combination with a Class F (tractor) vehicle, 11
and a Class P (passenger bus) vehicle. 12

(ii) To satisfy the evidentiary burden under paragraph (1)(ii) of this 13
subsection, the person named in a citation described under subparagraph (i) of this 14
paragraph may provide to the District Court a letter, sworn to or affirmed by the person 15
and mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, that: 16

1. States that the person named in the citation was not 17
operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; and 18

2. Provides the name, address, and driver’s license 19
identification number of the person who was operating t he vehicle at the time of the 20
violation. 21

(5) (i) If the District Court finds that the person named in the citation 22
was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation or receives evidence under 23
paragraph (4)(ii)2 of this subsection identifying th e person driving the vehicle at the time 24
of the violation, the clerk of the court shall provide to the agency a copy of any evidence 25
substantiating who was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation. 26

(ii) On the receipt of substantiating evidence from the District Court 27
under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, an agency may issue a new citation as provided 28
in subsection (f) of this section to the person that the evidence indicates was operating the 29
vehicle at the time of the violation. 30

(iii) A citation issued under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph shall 31
be mailed not later than 2 weeks after receipt of the evidence from the District Court. 32

(i) If the civil penalty is not paid and the violation is not contested, the 33
Administration may refuse to register or reregister the motor vehicle. 34

(j) A violation for which a civil penalty is imposed under this section: 35

SENATE BILL 936 13

(1) Is not a moving violation for the purpose of assessing points under § 1
16–402 of this article and may not be recorded by the Administration on the driving record 2
of the owner or driver of the vehicle; 3

(2) May be treated as a parking violation for purposes of § 26 –305 of this 4
article; and 5

(3) May not be considered in the provision of motor vehicle insurance 6
coverage. 7

(k) (1) In consultation with the appropriate local government agencies, the 8
Chief Judge of the District Court shall adopt procedures for the issuance of citations, trials 9
for violations, and the collection of civil penalties imposed under this section. 10

(2) The standards and requirements for the use, processing, and disposal 11
of recorded images and associated data established under § 12 –113.1 of this article apply 12
to citations issued under this section. 13

(l) (1) An agency or a contractor designated by the ag ency shall administer 14
and process civil citations issued under this section in coordination with the District Court. 15

(2) If a contractor provides, deploys, or operates a bus [lane] 16
OBSTRUCTION monitoring system for an agency, the contractor’s fee may not be contingent 17
on the number of citations issued or paid. 18

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the publisher of the 19
Annotated Code of Maryland, in consultation with and subject to the approval of the 20
Department of Legislative Services, shall corre ct, with no further action required by the 21
General Assembly, cross –references and terminology rendered incorrect by this Act. The 22
publisher shall adequately describe any correction that is made in an editor’s note following 23
the section affected. 24

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 25
October 1, 2026. 26

Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.