SB 858 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

State Public Transit Service and Stations - Exclusion for Assault and Bodily Injury

SB 858 would bar individuals alleged by a public transit operator to have committed assault or caused bodily injury on a state transit service (like buses, trains, or light rail) or at a transit station from using those services for specific periods. First offenses would trigger a 30-day exclusion, second offenses 180 days, and third offenses or offenses involving weapons would result in a lifetime ban. The exclusion period can be adjusted by the Secretary of Transportation, and the bill specifies that this does not prevent prosecution for trespassing or other state laws. The bill directly affects people accused of such acts while using Maryland's state-operated transit systems. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Signed May 13, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - State Public Transit Service and Stations - Exclusion for Assault and Bodily Injury → Third - State Public Transit Service and Stations - Exclusion for Assault and Bodily Injury · 8 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to strengthen public transit safety by requiring the Maryland Transit Administration to create a rider code of conduct and implement a comprehensive internal safety program. The amendment clarifies that individuals alleged to have committed assault or bodily injury may be prohibited from using public transit services, while also adding protections for people with disabilities who are accompanied by caregivers. The workgroup tasked with developing these policies must convene by June 1, 2025, and report by October 1, 2025.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include private entities providing public transit service and entities operating under transportation compacts, and the definition of public transit operators now includes station agents, conductors, and attendants.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for Maryland Transit Administration to create a rider code of conduct and implement a comprehensive internal safety program by June 1, 2025

Established a workgroup to develop consequences for violations, including ridership bans, legal action possibilities, and an appeals process

ELIGIBILITY

Added exception allowing transit use for individuals with disabilities who are accompanied by a direct support professional or caregiver when the assault was related to their disability

DEFINITION

Expanded definition of public transit operators to include station agents, conductors, and station attendants

SCOPE

Broadened scope to include private entities providing public transit service and entities operating under transportation compacts

TIMELINE

Set specific deadlines: workgroup convenes by June 1, 2025, and reports findings by October 1, 2025

ENFORCEMENT

Added provision that nothing in the section limits enforcement of other state laws

TECHNICAL

Reorganized section numbering and formatting to align with legislative standards

Floor votes · Senate Mar 17, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2025

How they voted

46–0

Passed

Total votes 46

Mar 17, 2025

D Democratic33

33 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 13, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 541

executive

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Committee

Rereferred to Environment and Transportation

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Committee

Referred Rules and Executive Nominations

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

upper

Mar 25, 2025

Committee

Rereferred to Finance

upper

Mar 25, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (136-0-3)

house of delegates

Mar 17, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (46-0)

senate

Feb 3, 2025

Committee

First Reading Judicial Proceedings

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors