Public Utilities (GPU) — Title 10. For-Hire Driving Services

providing passenger-for-hire services; and

providing taxicab services.

hail from the street or other location; or

request made at a taxi stand or other location where the motor vehicle is standing and waiting for a request for service.

transportation network coverage period one, during which the operator is logged onto and ready to accept a prearranged ride request made through a transportation network company’s digital network application;

transportation network coverage period two, during which the operator accepts a ride request from a passenger that is prearranged through a transportation network company’s digital network application, and is traveling to a predetermined location to pick up the passenger; and

transportation network coverage period three, during which the operator transports the passenger and continuing until the passenger departs the motor vehicle.

providing taxicab services, sedan services, or limousine services;

any shared expense carpool arrangement or service or other type of arrangement or service in which a driver receives a fee that does not exceed the driver’s costs associated with providing a ride; or

transportation services that a nonprofit organization provides through the use of a volunteer driver and the volunteer driver’s personal vehicle.

aging support;

developmental and other disabilities;

kidney dialysis;

Medical Assistance Program;

Head Start;

Welfare–to–Work;

mental health; and

job training.

one complete set of the driver’s legible fingerprints taken on a form approved by the Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services; and

the fee authorized under § 10–221(b)(7) of the Criminal Procedure Article for access to State criminal history records.

In accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the Criminal Procedure Article, the Central Repository shall provide a printed statement listing the driver’s criminal convictions to:

If criminal history record information is reported to the Central Repository after the date of the initial criminal history records check, the Central Repository shall provide a revised printed statement listing the driver’s criminal convictions to:

confidential and may not be redisseminated; and

used only for the employment purpose authorized by this section.

conducts a criminal record check of each applicant for a license;

conducts a driving record check of each applicant for a license; and

requires that each applicant for a license include in the application documentation verifying that the applicant completed a human trafficking awareness training in accordance with § 10–104.2 of this subtitle.

In this subsection the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Washington Metropolitan Area Transit District” means the transit district created under § 10–204 of the Transportation Article and includes, for the State, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and the political subdivisions located within those counties.

“WMATC” means the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission created under § 10–204 of the Transportation Article.

submit to the Commission a completed application on the form that the Commission provides;

state on the form that the applicant is applying for a passenger–for–hire driver’s license or a taxicab driver’s license;

pay to the Commission an application fee set by the Commission;

submit to the Commission documentation verifying that the applicant completed a human trafficking awareness training in accordance with § 10–104.2 of this subtitle; and

apply to the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for a State criminal history records check as provided in subsection (b) of this section.

require a driving record check of the applicant;

attach a photograph to the for–hire driver’s license when issued; and

file a photograph with the for–hire driver’s record.

one complete set of the applicant’s legible fingerprints taken on forms approved by the Director of the Central Repository; and

the fee authorized under § 10–221(b)(7) of the Criminal Procedure Article for access to Maryland criminal history records.

In response to an application for an initial criminal history records check, the Central Repository shall provide to the Commission and the applicant a printed statement of the applicant’s State criminal record.

If criminal history record information is reported to the Central Repository after the date of the initial criminal history records check, the Central Repository shall provide to the Commission and the applicant or licensee a revised printed statement of the applicant’s or licensee’s State criminal record.

confidential and may not be redisseminated; and

used only for the licensing purposes described in this title.

As provided by this paragraph, an applicant for a for–hire driver’s license or a licensee may contest the contents of a printed statement or a revised printed statement issued by the Central Repository.

To contest the contents of a printed statement or a revised printed statement, an applicant or a licensee shall contact the office of the Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services, or the Secretary’s designee.

The Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services, or the Secretary’s designee, shall:

For the purposes of this paragraph, the record of a court disposition or a copy of the record certified by the clerk of the court or by a judge of the court in which the disposition occurred shall be conclusive evidence of the disposition.

In a case where a pending charge is recorded, documentation provided by a court to the Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services, or the Secretary’s designee, that a pending charge for a crime which has not been finally adjudicated shall be conclusive evidence of the pending charge.

Failure of the applicant or a licensee to appear at the scheduled hearing shall be considered grounds for dismissal of the contest.

In addition to a State criminal history records check under this subsection, and subject to Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the Criminal Procedure Article, the Commission may require an applicant to obtain a criminal history records check from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, through the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

An applicant who is required by the Commission to obtain a criminal history records check from the Federal Bureau of Investigation under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall:

national criminal history records check:

driving record check that includes a driving history research report; and

determine whether the sedan company’s or limousine company’s process for complying with subsection (b)(2) of this section can be shown to be as comprehensive and accurate as complying with the supplemental criminal background check as set forth under § 10–104(b) of this subtitle; and

within 3 months after receiving the request, determine whether to:

submit to the Commission an application on the form that the Commission provides; and

include in the application documentation verifying that the applicant completed a human trafficking awareness training in accordance with § 10–104.2 of this subtitle.

determine the form and style of a badge; and

issue to each licensed taxicab driver a badge with the taxicab driver’s license number on the badge.

is approved by the Commission in all respects, including policy provisions, form, and amounts; and

insures the permit holder and taxicab driver against liability to a passenger or member of the public for property damage, personal injury, or death resulting from an accident in which the taxicab is involved; or

is approved by the Commission in all respects, including provisions, form, surety, and amounts; and

is made out to the State as obligee for the use and benefit of passengers and members of the public, and undertakes to indemnify passengers and members of the public against property damage, personal injury, or death resulting from an accident in which the taxicab is involved.

Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a cancellation or revocation of an insurance policy or bond that is required under subsection (a) of this section may not take effect until 45 days after the date the Commission receives written notice from the revoking party.

Cancellation or revocation of an insurance policy or bond issued by the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund may not take effect until 30 days after the date the Commission receives written notice from the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund.

the time and date issued, the expiration time, the taxicab driver’s name and badge number, and the taxicab number;

space for meter readings and the calculation of driver income; and

any other information considered necessary by the Commission;

may transport a passenger from Baltimore City into Baltimore County and return to Baltimore County for the same passenger; but

may not solicit a passenger within Baltimore County at any time.

Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, if a taxicab is occupied by several passengers bound for different destinations, each passenger or party shall be charged the fare recorded on the meter at the time of arrival at the passenger’s or party’s destination.

A party or individual passenger may not be charged more than the fare applicable at the established rate for transportation over the shortest and most direct route.

an accurate taximeter that is properly installed and connected; or

another device the Commission approves for measuring the charges for service.

a point within the political subdivision in which the taxicab is normally operated and a point outside of the political subdivision;

the Maryland Port Administration’s cruise terminal facilities and:

points within Baltimore City, as approved by the Commission.

national criminal history records check:

driving record check that includes a driving history research report.

determine whether the transportation network company’s process for complying with subsection (b)(2) of this section can be shown to be as comprehensive and accurate as complying with the supplemental criminal background check as set forth under § 10–104(b) of this title; and

within 3 months after receiving the request, determine whether to:

submitted an application for a transportation network operator’s license on or before September 30, 2026; and

completed, between June 1, 2025, and November 30, 2026, a human trafficking awareness training that meets the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection.

the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Leaders Against Human Trafficking/Combating Human Trafficking in the Transportation Sector Awareness Training;

any nationally recognized human trafficking awareness training program; or

any digital training developed by a transportation network company in consultation with a nationally recognized organization with expertise in human trafficking awareness training.

recognize potential victims of human trafficking;

respond to an individual who may be or is a victim of human trafficking; and

report suspected incidents of human trafficking to appropriate authorities.

the disclosure is required by court order or order of the Maryland Tax Court;

the disclosure is made in accordance with § 10–119.3 of the Family Law Article; or

the disclosure is to the Comptroller under § 10–406(g)(5) of this subtitle.

recognizes that the operator is a transportation network operator or otherwise uses a motor vehicle to transport passengers for hire; and

covers the operator while the operator is providing transportation network services.

The following motor vehicle insurance requirements shall apply while an operator is providing transportation network services:

The coverage requirements under this paragraph may be satisfied by motor vehicle insurance maintained by:

verify that the coverage required under subsection (a) of this section is maintained at all times; and

provide to the Commission and the Insurance Commissioner, annually upon each renewal:

The Commission may consult with the Insurance Commissioner concerning the provisions of the underlying policy provided to the Commission and the Insurance Commissioner under paragraph (1)(ii)2 of this subsection.

in accordance with the requirements of Title 3, Subtitle 3 of the Insurance Article; and

having an A.M. Best financial strength rating of A– or better.

advise the insurer or agent that the operator will be providing transportation network services; and

determine the coverage, if any, that may be available from the operator’s personal motor vehicle policy; and

provide proof of insurance satisfying the requirements of this section; and

disclose whether the accident occurred while the operator was providing transportation network services.

the precise times that an operator was logged onto the transportation network company’s digital network:

a clear description of the coverage, exclusions, and limits provided under any motor vehicle insurance maintained under this section.

Except as provided in subsection (e)(5) of this section, an assessment may not be imposed on a transportation network service by both a county and a municipal corporation.

If both a county and a municipal corporation impose an assessment on a transportation network service in accordance with subsection (e)(5) of this section, the sum of the assessments imposed by both jurisdictions may not exceed 25 cents per trip.

A county, in accordance with subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, or a municipal corporation may impose an assessment on trips that originate in the county or municipal corporation.

A county authorized to impose an assessment under this subsection:

If a county authorized to impose an assessment under this subsection plans to impose an assessment under this section, the county shall notify the municipal corporations in the county of the county’s intent to impose an assessment.

If a municipal corporation authorized to impose an assessment under this subsection plans to impose an assessment under this section, the municipal corporation shall notify the county of the municipal corporation’s intent to impose an assessment.

is not authorized to impose an assessment under subsection (d) of this section; or

Except as provided under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph:

A county has priority over a municipal corporation to impose an assessment on trips that originate in the municipal corporation, and the municipal corporation may not impose an assessment on trips that originate in the municipal corporation, if:

A municipal corporation that is not authorized to impose an assessment on trips that originate in the municipal corporation under subsection (d) of this section and that is located in a county that is authorized to impose an assessment on trips that originate in the county under subsection (d) of this section may impose an assessment on trips that originate in the municipal corporation under this subsection after July 1, 2016, if the county has not authorized an assessment on trips that originate in the county by July 1, 2016.

Before a county may impose an assessment on trips that originate in a municipal corporation under this subsection, the county shall:

Before a municipal corporation may impose an assessment on trips that originate in the municipal corporation under this subsection, the municipal corporation shall:

Notwithstanding paragraph (4) of this subsection and subject to subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, both a county and a municipal corporation authorized to impose an assessment under this subsection may impose an assessment on a transportation network service if the county and the municipal corporation enter into an agreement:

A county and a municipal corporation that enter into an agreement under this paragraph to impose an assessment on a transportation network service by both jurisdictions shall provide a copy of the agreement to the Comptroller.

If both a county and a municipal corporation impose an assessment on a transportation network service under this paragraph, the sum of the assessments imposed by both jurisdictions may not exceed the amount under subsection (c)(3)(ii) of this section.

of the amount of the assessment;

of the effective date of the assessment; and

that the notice required under subsection (e)(4) of this section was provided to the county or municipal corporation.

of the amount of the new assessment;

of the effective date of the new assessment; and

that the notice required under subsection (e)(4) of this section was provided to the county or municipal corporation.

collect assessments on behalf of an operator who accepts a request for a ride made through the transportation network company’s digital network;

collect any assessment, fee, charge, or tax imposed by an exempt jurisdiction on a transportation network service; and

submit to the Comptroller no later than 30 days after the end of a calendar quarter, or as otherwise specified by the Comptroller in regulations:

Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, from the assessments and revenues imposed by counties and municipal corporations, the Comptroller shall distribute each quarter the amount necessary to administer the assessments to an administrative cost account.

The amount distributed to the administrative cost account may not exceed 5% of the revenue from the assessments and other revenue.

the county or municipal corporation that is the source of the revenue; or

at the discretion of the Comptroller, the county that is the source of the revenue for the county to distribute to the source of revenue in the county or municipal corporation.

on the request of the Comptroller, records or information that relate to the collection, remittance, accounting of revenues from assessments, or the enforcement of the obligations under this section that are:

records or information required by court order or order of the Maryland Tax Court.

Records or information provided to the Comptroller by a transportation network company under this subsection are not subject to release under the Maryland Public Information Act.

The Comptroller may not disclose records or information provided by a transportation network company unless the disclosure is required by court order or order of the Maryland Tax Court.

On notice that a person is seeking records or information under subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, the Comptroller shall promptly notify the transportation network company before disclosing the information.

The Comptroller may disclose records or information provided by the Commission or a transportation network company to:

Except to the extent of any inconsistency with this section, the provisions of Title 13 of the Tax – General Article that apply to the sales and use tax shall govern the administration, collection, enforcement, and appeals of the revenues from assessments under this section.

The limitations governing the sales and use tax under § 13–1102 of the Tax – General Article apply to the assessments imposed under this section.

deposit in the Fund assessment revenues received from transportation network companies; and

disburse trip assessment revenues to the appropriate counties and municipalities.

the General Fund of the State; or

a special fund of the State.

Subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection and except as provided in subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph, the transportation network company impact fee is 75 cents for each passenger trip.

Subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, the transportation network company impact fee for a passenger trip provided using a fuel cell electric vehicle or a plug–in electric drive vehicle, as those terms are defined in Title 11, Subtitle 1 of the Transportation Article, is 50 cents for each passenger trip.

Subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, the transportation network company impact fee is 50 cents for each shared passenger trip.

The transportation network company impact fee shall be increased on July 1, 2028, and on July 1 each subsequent year in accordance with this paragraph.

On or before June 1 each year, the Comptroller shall determine and announce:

Subject to subparagraph (v) of this paragraph, on July 1 each year, the transportation network company impact fee shall be increased by the amount, rounded to the nearest one–tenth of a cent, that equals the product of multiplying:

collect the transportation network company impact fee from a passenger on behalf of a transportation network operator; or

pay the transportation network company impact fee on behalf of a passenger.

the transportation network company impact fee shall be charged in addition to any other tax or fee; and

the transportation network company shall show the impact fee as a separate line item on the passenger’s receipt, invoice, or other bill of sale, distinct from the transaction price and any other tax or fee imposed.

report the transportation network company impact fee on a form prescribed by the Comptroller; and

remit the transportation network company impact fee to the Comptroller not later than 30 days after the end of a calendar quarter, or as otherwise specified by the Comptroller in regulations.

a trade secret; and

confidential and proprietary information; and