In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Mobile training center” means a mobile unit equipped and managed by the Administration that may be available for the offering of motorcycle safety courses and for conducting public awareness activities at various locations in the State. “Motorcycle safety courses” and “courses” mean courses of instruction, designated and approved by the Administration and offered by a training center, in the safe use and operation of motorcycles operated under a Class M driver’s license, including instruction in the safe on–road operation of motorcycles, the rules of the road, and the laws of this State relating to motor vehicles. “Motorcycle safety training center” and “training center” mean places designated and approved by the Administration where approved motorcycle safety courses are offered.

It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Administration: Promote motorcycle safety; Provide access to motorcycle safety courses; and Maintain a staff that is sufficient for the implementation and administration of the Motorcycle Safety Program established under this subtitle.

There is a Motorcycle Safety Program as a part of the Highway Safety Program of this State. The purpose of the Motorcycle Safety Program is to improve the safety of motorcyclists through programs of cyclist training to improve rider skills and to generally provide for a public awareness effort that will benefit all highway users. The Program shall be funded as provided in the State budget.

The Department and the Administration shall administer the Motorcycle Safety Program. The Administration, a State or community college, a State university, an agency of a political subdivision, or any other person approved and designated by the Administration may organize and manage a motorcycle safety training center and may offer motorcycle safety courses at those centers that it operates. The Administration may operate a mobile training center to provide courses at various locations in the State. Subject to the regulations adopted under this subtitle, any resident of this State who possesses a valid Class E or Class M driver’s license, a Class E or Class M learner’s instructional permit, or is eligible for a Class M learner’s instructional permit, may enroll in a course. A nonresident may apply for and be accepted for enrollment in courses authorized under this subtitle; however, the reimbursement provided under § 16–605(b) of this subtitle may not be made for a nonresident trainee. An eligible individual may take a course more than one time, but the reimbursement provided in § 16–605(b) of this subtitle may only be paid one time for any individual. For a course that is to be reimbursed under this subtitle, a training center may charge a trainee a reasonable course registration fee. For a course offered at a training center operated by the Administration, the Administration may collect a reasonable course registration fee established by the Administration. The courses may be offered throughout the calendar year. The successful completion of the Administration approved basic motorcycle safety course shall be considered the equivalent of passing the skills and knowledge test required under §§ 16–105 and 16–110 of this title for obtaining a Class M driver’s license. The Department shall provide a program coordinator to organize and administer all tasks related to the achievement of the purpose of the Motorcycle Safety Program as provided under this subtitle. The program coordinator shall be experienced in the motorcycle safety field and shall possess those qualifications as may be specified by the Secretary.

The Administration shall adopt and enforce regulations consistent with this subtitle to implement the motorcycle safety courses in training centers throughout the State. Regulations adopted under this section shall include, but not be limited to: Curriculum, equipment, and facility standards for both classroom and laboratory phases; Minimum student performance standards for successful completion of the courses; Standards for the certification of training centers, classroom instructors, and laboratory instructors; Guidelines for payment of the State reimbursement to training centers; Standards for determining the eligibility of individuals to enroll in the courses; and Guidelines for the provision of funds, equipment, and materials by the Administration to the training centers.

The Administration may award contracts out of the appropriation to the Department for the Motorcycle Safety Program to qualifying motorcycle safety training centers for the conduct of approved motorcycle safety courses. These contracts may provide funding, equipment, and materials to establish and maintain the training centers. The Administration may award contracts in accordance with Division II of the State Finance and Procurement Article out of the appropriation to the Department for the Motorcycle Safety Program for the procurement of services and products to be used to achieve the purpose of the Motorcycle Safety Program. From the funds appropriated for the Motorcycle Safety Program, the Department shall fund the costs incurred in the implementation and operation of activities under this subtitle, including administrative costs. The Administration may reimburse a motorcycle safety training center at a rate established by the Administration for each eligible person completing the course. The reimbursement rate may be in addition to the assistance provided under subsection (a) of this section. The funds provided under this section shall be in addition to any other State aid. The Administration may not contract for the provision of any services under this program the aggregate costs of which exceed the funds appropriated for the Motorcycle Safety Program. The Administration shall recover the full costs of operating the Program from any miscellaneous fees as defined in § 12-120(a) of this article.

This subtitle may be cited as the Motorcycle Safety Program Act.