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Bill

HB 646

Driver Licensing – Self–Reporting of Medical Conditions

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Michele Guyton and 1 co-sponsor

Maryland bill requiring drivers to self-report medical conditions affecting driving safety to maintain vehicle operation privileges.

Hearing 2/19 at 1:00 p.m.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 646

Legislative bill overview

HB 646 would require Maryland drivers to self-report certain medical conditions to the Motor Vehicle Administration that may affect their ability to safely operate a vehicle. The bill establishes a framework where drivers must disclose conditions like seizure disorders, vision impairments, or cognitive decline that could impact driving safety. This shifts responsibility from physicians reporting to medical professionals to drivers proactively disclosing their own health status.

Why is this important

Driver medical fitness directly affects public safety on roads. Currently, Maryland relies on physician reporting and MVA testing to identify unsafe drivers, but physician reporting is inconsistent across states and often incomplete. Self-reporting could identify additional at-risk drivers more quickly, potentially reducing accidents caused by undiagnosed or unreported medical conditions. However, effectiveness depends heavily on driver honesty and compliance.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy and medical autonomy concerns: Requiring self-disclosure of medical conditions raises questions about privacy rights and could discourage people from seeking medical care if they fear losing driving privileges
  • Enforcement and reliability: Self-reporting relies on driver honesty with no clear enforcement mechanism; drivers may underreport or omit conditions to avoid license suspension or restrictions
  • Fairness and access issues: Could disproportionately affect elderly drivers, lower-income individuals, or those in rural areas where losing driving privileges means losing independence and economic opportunity

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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