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SB 1030

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57th Legislature - Second Regular Session Introduced by Catherine Miranda

Authorizes up to five top Hatzalah of Baltimore officers to use privately owned vehicles with red or red-and-white emergency lights en route to or at the scene of an emergency.

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Bill Summary · SB 1030

SB 1030 — Baltimore County and Baltimore City: Vehicle Lighting on Privately Owned Vehicles

Status: Approved by Governor (Chapter 562). Governor approval: May 13, 2025. Effective date: October 1, 2025. Introduced: January 31, 2025. Cross-file: HB 1520.

Purpose / Intent

The law authorizes a limited lighting exception for privately owned vehicles used by certain officers of Hatzalah of Baltimore — a nonprofit volunteer emergency medical organization operating in Baltimore City and Baltimore County under a commercial ambulance service license — so those officers can display red or red-and-white emergency lights while responding to or at the scene of an emergency.

Key provisions

  • Amends Article — Transportation, §22‑218(c) of the Maryland Annotated Code.
  • Adds a new subsection authorizing, for Hatzalah of Baltimore (operating under a commercial ambulance service license), up to five of the highest‑ranking officers to have their privately owned vehicles equipped with red or red-and-white lights or signal devices.
  • Limits use of those lights to times when the vehicle is en route to or at the scene of an emergency.
  • Renumbers existing subsection paragraphs (shifts prior (4)–(13) to (5)–(14) as needed).
  • Retains existing general prohibition in Maryland law against privately displaying oscillating/rotating/blinking lights except as authorized; existing misdemeanor penalty for unauthorized use remains (maximum fine $500; District Court prepayment penalty $60).

Who is affected

  • Directly: Up to five highest‑ranking officers of Hatzalah of Baltimore (privately owned vehicles).
  • Indirectly: Other emergency responders, local law enforcement, and the general public in Baltimore City and Baltimore County (public safety/roadway interactions when such vehicles are responding).
  • Fiscal: The Department of Legislative Services fiscal note indicates no material effect on State or local finances (authorizing in nature).

Implementation & timeline

  • Enacted as Chapter 562; takes effect October 1, 2025.
  • The authorization is narrowly tailored: applies to Hatzalah of Baltimore under its commercial ambulance service license and is limited to a maximum of five officers and to specified circumstances (en route/at scene).

Context / Notes

  • Maryland law already authorizes similar lighting for ambulances, governmental fire/rescue vehicles, and allows up to five specified officers of each volunteer fire company to equip private vehicles with red/red-and-white lights while responding to emergencies; this act extends a comparable, narrowly defined exception to Hatzalah of Baltimore officers.

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

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