It is the intent of this Act to regulate electric vehicle charging station safety for persons using this important environmentally sustainable energy option. Owners of electric vehicle charging stations shall be subject to the requirements set forth in this Subdivision. This Act applies to public and private parking garages and parking lots on multifamily and non-residential properties in Prince George's County as defined herein.

Owner shall mean the person in whom legal or equitable title rests. Owner means any part owner, joint owner, owner of a community or partnership interest, life tenant, tenant in common, tenant by the entirety, or joint tenant. Where the signature of an owner is required, the term owner includes anyone having clear written authority to act on behalf of the actual owner. A third-party guarantor shall act in the place of or in addition to an owner where legally required to do so. Parking Garage, Public shall mean a building (other than a motor vehicle sales room) used for parking passenger vehicles. A parking garage, public is used for the housing of six (6) or more passenger vehicles, where any service or repair facilities are incidental. Parking Garage, Private shall mean a parking garage used for housing passenger vehicles and such commercial vehicles as are allowed to be parked in the zone in which such garage is located. Not over fifty percent (50%) of the garage shall be used for vehicles not owned by the occupants of the premises associated with the private garage. Parking Lot shall mean an area of land, other than a vehicle sales lot, used for parking passenger vehicles.

Electric vehicle charging stations shall be located in an area with a minimum of 15 footcandle uniform lighting illumination surrounding the electric vehicle charging station during non-daylight hours. Lighting shall enable electric vehicle users to read signs and instructions and to operate the electric vehicle charging station easily. This will assist a driver in safe use of the charging station: (1) from the time of entry, (2) to the initiation of a charging session, (3) to the charging of a vehicle, and (4) to completing a charge.

Owners of a private garage, or public garage shall be responsible for providing security cameras, in close proximity to the charging stations, as a security measure to protect persons and property. Electric vehicle charging stations located in a parking lot shall have a security camera. Additional safety measures shall be provided if the electric vehicle charging station is within a multi-story parking garage including but not limited to security cameras and call boxes.

The following information shall be posted at all non-residential sites where individual parking spaces are reserved for electric vehicle charging stations: usage fees; voltage and amperage levels; hour of operations, if time limits or towaway provisions are to be enforced by the property owner; safety information; and contact information for reporting when the equipment is not operating or other problems. As appropriate, directional signs shall be provided to effectively guide driver (s) to the charging station space(s).

Electric vehicle charging stations shall be labeled for their intended use for electric vehicle charging. The spaces shall be painted green and contain the white EV stamp. The electric vehicle charging stations shall be located in a manner that provides maximum safety to consumers and in a manner less likely to adversely impact the surrounding properties.

The risk of vandalism shall be assessed by the owner and shall be mitigated by the use of preventive strategies, such as motion detectors, security lighting, tamper alarms, locked enclosures, anti-vandalism hardware, and graffiti resistant coatings.

No provision contained in this Act shall be construed to apply to an electric company or electric and gas company that installs electric charging stations within Prince George's County pursuant to an order or approval of the Maryland Public Service Commission.

Any violation of this Subdivision shall be subject to a fine of Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($250.00) for a first violation, a fine of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for a second violation, and a fine of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for a third and any subsequent violation. The Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement shall administer and enforce this Division.