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HB 34

Municipalities - Open Drainage Inlets - Required Grating Systems (Mason's Law)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Christopher Bouchat and 3 co-sponsors

Maryland bill mandates municipalities install safety grating systems on open drainage inlets to prevent fall injuries and deaths.

Hearing 2/04 at 1:00 p.m.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 34

Legislative bill overview

HB 34 requires Maryland municipalities to install grating systems on open drainage inlets to prevent objects and people from falling into them. The bill, known as "Mason's Law," mandates safety upgrades to storm drain infrastructure across the state's local jurisdictions.

Why is this important

Open drainage inlets pose serious injury and fatality risks, particularly to children and pedestrians who can fall into uncovered drains. This bill addresses a preventable public safety hazard by establishing a statewide standard that could reduce drowning deaths and severe injuries from drain-related accidents.

Potential points of contention

  • Municipal compliance costs: Installing grating systems on thousands of drainage inlets statewide could require significant capital expenditures for local governments, raising questions about funding responsibility and implementation timelines
  • Maintenance and obstruction concerns: Grating systems require ongoing maintenance to prevent clogging and may need regular clearing during heavy rainfall, creating operational burdens for municipalities
  • Scope and grandfathering: Unclear whether the requirement applies to all existing inlets or only new construction, and whether older systems receive exemptions based on feasibility or cost

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

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