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Bill would let Maryland transit agencies ban people who assault operators from using service
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Summary
HB1144 would require public transit providers to adopt exclusion policies barring people who assault transit workers or passengers from using rail or bus services for set periods; unions and transit workers testified in favor, citing repeated attacks and operational safety gaps.
Delegate Jackie T. Addison introduced House Bill 1144 to the Environment and Transportation Committee on Feb. 20, asking the legislature to authorize transit systems to exclude individuals who commit assaults or bodily harm against transit workers or passengers from state public transit services and stations.
"This bill would do just that. HB 11 44 mandates an individual who commits assault or other acts of bodily harm against a public transit operator or passenger will be prohibited from utilizing the bus, rail, light rail, or the subway for a period of time," Delegate Addison said in opening testimony, framing the bill as a worker‑safety and customer‑safety measure.
Unions representing transit employees urged the committee to pass HB1144. David Pendleton, director of the Maryland safety and legislative board for SMART Transportation Division, and Michael McMillan, president/business agent for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1300, described repeated incidents in which alleged offenders were removed from one vehicle and then reappeared on subsequent runs. "Often when this happens, an assault happens on a marked train, the perpetrator is allowed to catch the very next train," Pendleton said. The bill would create administrative exclusion periods—30 days for a first offense, 180 days for a second, and lifetime for a third—or longer if a weapon is used, testimony explained.
Transit workers recounted incidents in detail. Bus operator Shantice Robinson described multiple assaults and threats, including an incident that led to an anxiety attack and six weeks out of work. Cheryl Austin described a passenger who damaged bus equipment and later displayed a knife and threatened her. Union and MTA police testimony said the bill would improve the ability to track repeat offenders, allow operators to identify banned individuals more readily and enable police to remove them.
WMATA and other transit providers submitted suggested clarifying amendments. Metro's Charlie Scott said the agency is considering similar policies and asked statutory language be adjusted so it applies consistently to all public transit systems in the state and aligns with system tariffs and board processes.
Ending: The hearing produced extended, emotionally charged testimony from workers and victims; the committee did not vote. Sponsors and transit agencies signaled intent to refine statutory language and regulatory implementation details in follow‑up meetings.
