Bill > HB81

This bill modifies laws related to police stops and evidence in Maryland. It requires police officers to display identification and state the reason for a traffic stop at its commencement, and to document all reasons for the stop on any resulting citation or report; however, a failure to comply with these identification and information requirements will not be grounds for excluding evidence in court, though it may lead to administrative discipline for the officer. The bill also introduces "secondary enforcement" for several traffic violations, meaning police officers can only stop a vehicle for these offenses if they have already detained the driver for a suspected violation of another law. These secondary enforcement offenses include driving with an unpaid registration fee, having a registration plate that is expired (unless it's within four months of the original expiration date), certain violations related to registration plate display and condition, having a non-working headlight (if at least one is working), issues with the rear registration plate illumination, obstructed rearview mirrors, and certain window tinting violations. The bill also clarifies that officers can issue a citation or a safety equipment repair order for window tinting violations, and that these changes regarding secondary enforcement apply retroactively to cases not yet finalized.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0081?ys=2026RS