MD HB34

Municipalities must inventory all publicly and privately owned open drainage inlets (12+ inch diameter stormwater structures) by July 1, 2027, and develop a prioritization plan for safety improvements by April 1, 2028

Required improvements include installing approved grating systems (standard yard inlets, raised grates, or trash racks) or fencing that blocks at least 50% of openings and prevents human entry, with completion deadline of April 1, 2031

Municipalities bear the cost of installing improvements on both public and private property inlets, but are not responsible for ongoing maintenance of systems installed on private property

$250,000 annually from the comprehensive flood management grant program is allocated for fiscal years 2029-2031 to provide matching funds for municipal improvement costs

New open drainage inlets installed after October 1, 2026 must include approved grating systems; exemptions exist for inlets that don't pose legitimate public safety risks or where improvements would significantly impair hydraulic capacity