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HB 81

Motor Vehicles - Police Stops - Secondary Enforcement and Excludable Evidence

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Scott Phillips

Maryland HB 81 restricts police traffic stops to primary violations only and excludes evidence from secondary-enforcement stops, fundamentally reshaping police authority and criminal case admissibility.

Hearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m. (Judiciary)
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Bill Summary · HB 81

Legislative bill overview

HB 81 would restrict police authority to conduct traffic stops in Maryland based on certain vehicle code violations and make evidence obtained from such stops inadmissible in court. The bill appears to create a "secondary enforcement" standard, meaning officers could only stop vehicles for certain traffic violations under specific circumstances rather than as a primary reason for initiating contact.

Why is this important

This bill directly affects police enforcement authority and the admissibility of evidence in criminal proceedings. It could significantly impact how traffic stops are conducted, potentially reducing stops for minor violations while also creating new legal standards about what constitutes valid evidence, which would affect outcomes in both traffic and criminal cases.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition of secondary enforcement: The bill's specific language on which violations qualify as secondary (enforcement-only offenses) versus primary would determine its practical scope—critics may argue it's either too broad or too narrow
  • Public safety vs. individual rights: Law enforcement may argue traffic stops for minor violations serve public safety and allow detection of other crimes, while civil liberties advocates contend they disproportionately affect certain communities
  • Evidence exclusion consequences: Making evidence inadmissible could dismiss cases entirely, raising concerns about whether guilty parties escape accountability versus whether it prevents unconstitutional policing practices

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

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