MD SB189

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

Municipalities must install approved grating systems or fencing on prioritized existing drainage inlets by April 1, 2031, with priority given to inlets posing the greatest public safety risk

Approved grating systems include standard yard inlets, raised grate yard inlets, trash rack gratings with four sides, and precast concrete boxes for new construction

Municipalities bear the cost of installing improvements on both publicly and privately owned existing inlets, but may apply to the Comprehensive Flood Management Grant Program for cost-sharing

All new open drainage inlets must be equipped with an approved grating system, and municipalities are not liable for maintenance of systems installed on private property