MD SB858

Persons alleged to have committed assault or intentional acts causing bodily injury to transit operators or passengers may be prohibited from using Maryland Transit Administration services and stations under guidelines and an appeals process established by the Administration.

"Public transit operator" includes bus drivers, train operators, station agents, conductors, and station attendants employed by MTA or contracted transit providers.

Maryland Transit Administration must convene a workgroup by June 1, 2025 with WMATA, the Joint Safety Committee, and union representatives to create a rider code of conduct and comprehensive internal safety program.

Criminal conviction is not required as a prerequisite for a transit ban; however, persons whose assault was directly related to a disability may still use transit if accompanied by a direct support professional or caregiver.

If MTA adopts the rider code of conduct and implements the safety program, the statutory ban provisions in Section 1 are automatically abrogated; the workgroup must report findings to the legislature by October 1, 2025.