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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".19" citation="COMAR 20.90.01.19" title_num="20" subtitle_num="90" chapter_num="01" heading="Licensure — Driver Screening Standards.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>General. As used in this regulation, the terms “conviction” and “convicted of” include a finding of guilt in a criminal or motor vehicle proceeding, the entry of the plea of guilty or nolo contendere, a probation before judgment if the applicant has not yet completed the terms of the probation or if the applicant has been found to have violated the terms of probation, or has been found not criminally responsible pursuant to Maryland Rule 4-134. The terms of an applicant’s probation before judgment will be determined by referencing the sentencing and disposition date information contained in the background check or criminal history report provided with the application. Unless the background check or criminal history report indicates otherwise, there will be a presumption that the terms of the probation before judgment have been completed within the period indicated on the report and that the applicant has not violated the terms of the probation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Criminal Offenses.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Tier 1 Felony Offenses involving a Crime of Violence. An individual may be denied a license for an indefinite period if the individual has been convicted of a crime of violence, as defined by Criminal Law Article, §14-101, Annotated Code of Maryland, including any conspiracy, solicitation, attempt, or accessory to such crime of violence. Crimes of violence include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Abduction;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Arson in the first degree;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Kidnapping;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Manslaughter, except involuntary manslaughter;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Mayhem;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Maiming;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Murder;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>Rape;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>Robbery, as defined by Criminal Law Article, §3-402 or 3-403, Annotated Code of Maryland, including robbery with a deadly weapon;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(j)">
        <text>Carjacking;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(k)">
        <text>Armed carjacking;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(l)">
        <text>Sexual offense in the first degree;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(m)">
        <text>Sexual offense in the second degree;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(n)">
        <text>Use of a handgun in the commission of a felony or other crime of violence;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(o)">
        <text>Child abuse in the first degree under Criminal Law Article, §3-601, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(p)">
        <text>Sexual abuse of a minor under Criminal Law Article, §3-602, Annotated Code of Maryland, if:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The victim is under the age of 13 years and the offender is an adult at the time of the offense; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The offense involved vaginal intercourse, as defined in Criminal Law Article, §3-301, Annotated Code of Maryland; a sexual act, as defined in Criminal Law Article, §3-301, Annotated Code of Maryland; an act in which a part of the offender’s body penetrates, however slightly, into the victim’s genital opening or anus; or the intentional touching, not through the clothing, of the victim’s or the offender’s genital, anal, or other intimate area for sexual arousal, gratification, or abuse;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(q)">
        <text>An attempt to commit any of the crimes as described in §B(1)(a)—(p) of this regulation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(r)">
        <text>Continuing course of conduct with a child under Criminal Law Article, §3-315, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(s)">
        <text>Assault in the first degree;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(t)">
        <text>Assault with intent to murder;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(u)">
        <text>Assault with intent to rape;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(v)">
        <text>Assault with intent to rob;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(w)">
        <text>Assault with intent to commit a sexual offense in the first degree; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(x)">
        <text>Assault with intent to commit a sexual offense in the second degree.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Tier 2 Felony Offenses Other than Tier 1 Crimes of Violence. An individual may be denied a license if, within the 7-year period prior to the date of submission of the application, the individual has been convicted of any felony offense that is not defined as a crime of violence under Criminal Law Article, §14-101, Annotated Code of Maryland. Tier 2 felony offenses include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Any felony offense against a person including any assault or assault and battery that is not defined as a Tier 1 crime of violence as described in §B(1) of this regulation, or any threat to commit such crime, or any violation of a restraining order;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Any felony offense involving the illegal use or possession of weapons;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Any felony offense involving the possession, importation, manufacture, distribution, or registration of a controlled dangerous substance, prescription drug, or other substance;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Any felony offense involving the manufacture, sale, transport, or possession of explosives, or the intent to create an explosive device;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Any felony offense involving criminal sexual assault that is not defined as a Tier 1 crime of violence as described in §B(1) of this regulation, any type of sexual abuse, solicitation, pandering, prostitution, pimping, obscenity, pornography, possession of obscene material, exploitation, public indecency, sexual relations within families, or sexual misconduct;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Any felony property offenses that are not defined as a Tier 1 crime of violence as described in §B(1) of this regulation, including arson and burning, burglary and related crimes including home invasion, malicious destruction and related crimes, trespass, or crimes against a railroad;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Any felony theft and related offenses; fraud and related offenses; offenses against public administration; offenses against public health, conduct, and sensibilities; indecency and obscenity; or gaming.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Misdemeanor Offenses — Crimes of Violence. Except for driving offenses as described in §B of this regulation, an individual may be denied a license if, within a 3-year period prior to the date of the submission of the application, the individual has been convicted of any crime classified as a misdemeanor in the state of Maryland that involves violence against a person, including any conspiracy, solicitation, attempt, or accessory to such crime of violence.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Multiple Disqualifying Offenses. Individuals who have been convicted of multiple criminal offenses as described in §B(2) and (3) of this regulation shall be subject to the following exclusion periods.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Two or more felonies offenses. An individual may be denied a license if, within 10 years prior to the date of submission of the application the individual has been convicted of two or more Tier 2 felony offenses as described in §B(2) of this regulation, provided these crimes arose out of separate incidents.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Three or more misdemeanor crimes of violence. An individual may be denied a license if, within 7 years prior to the date of submission of the application, the individual has been convicted of three or more misdemeanors as described in §B(3) of this regulation, provided each of these offenses arose out of separate incidents.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Driving Offenses.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Major Traffic Offenses Involving Fatalities. An individual may be denied a license for an indefinite period if the individual has been convicted of a traffic violation involving the negligent or reckless operation of a motor vehicle that resulted in a fatality, including but not limited to crimes of motor vehicle manslaughter, homicide by motor vehicle, and negligent homicide.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Major Traffic Offenses Involving Alcohol or Controlled Substances.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An individual may be denied a license if, within the 7-year period prior to the date of submission of the application, the individual has been convicted of a single major traffic violation involving the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance; violating an interlock or alcohol restriction, leaving the scene of an accident, fleeing or evading police or resisting arrest while operating a motor vehicle or driving a motor vehicle when, as a result of a violation involving the use of alcohol or a controlled substance, the individual’s license is revoked, suspended, or canceled.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If, within 15 years prior to the date of submission of the application, an individual has been convicted of 2 or more major traffic violations as described in §C(2)(a) of this regulation, the individual may be denied a license.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Major Traffic Violations Not Related to Driving While Impaired by Alcohol or Controlled Substance.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An individual may be denied a license if, within the 3-year period prior to the date of the application, the individual has been convicted of reckless or negligent driving, use of a text messaging device while driving or use of a handheld telephone while driving as described in the Maryland Transportation Article, §§21-1124.1 and 21-1124.2, Annotated Code of Maryland, if such use results in personal injury as noted on the applicant’s driving history report or Maryland Transportation Article, §21-1124.3, Annotated Code of Maryland, failure to stop for a police officer, speeding 31 MPH or more over the posted speed limit, street or drag racing, driving after the individual’s license has been withdrawn or revoked, driving with a counterfeit or altered license or making a material misrepresentation about a driving license or, as a result of the refusal of a chemical test, the individual’s license is revoked or suspended.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>An individual may be denied a license if, within the 5-year period prior to the date of the application, the individual has been convicted of two or more major traffic violations as described in §C(3) of this regulation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Multiple Moving Traffic Violations. An individual may be denied a license if, within the 4-year period prior to the date of the application, the individual has been convicted of four moving traffic violations.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Offenses in Other Jurisdictions. All criminal and driving offenses described in this regulation are to be construed as including all violations of Maryland law and like or substantially similar violations of the laws of another state, the United States, a military, territorial or Native American tribal authority, or any other jurisdiction.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Additional Factors — Mitigating or Aggravating. The Commission may consider the following factors in determining whether to grant a license prior to the expiration of the restriction periods as described in this section:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The applicant’s age at the time of the commission of any crime or traffic violation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The circumstances surrounding the crime or traffic violation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The time elapsed since conviction;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The nature of the crime or traffic violation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The number and frequency of convictions for criminal offenses or traffic violations;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Documented character references;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Documented treatment and/or rehabilitation records;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Favorable parole/probation records;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Documentation of favorable employment records;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Family situation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>Restitution made or being made to victims of the crime;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(12)">
      <text>Conduct since conviction;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(13)">
      <text>The applicant’s overall driving record during the restriction period; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(14)">
      <text>The length of time the applicant has held a driving privilege. If the individual has been incarcerated, the applicant’s driving record since release from incarceration.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Open Charges in Pending Applications. The Commission may defer a decision on a pending application until any open Tier 1 or Tier 2 Criminal Offenses as described in §A of this regulation or major traffic violations as described in §B of this regulation  are resolved.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Sex Offender Registry. An individual may be denied a license for an indefinite period if the individual is listed on the national sex offender registry or the sex offender registry of any state.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>