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Sponsor seeks ban from transit system for people who assault operators; unions and transit workers urge swift passage
Summary
House Bill 1144 would empower Maryland transit agencies to exclude individuals who commit assault or bodily harm against transit operators or passengers from using public transit for set periods (30 days for a first offense, 180 days for a second, lifetime for a third). The bill drew testimony from transit unions, operators with on‑the‑record abuse
Delegate Jackie T. Addison presented House Bill 1144 on Feb. 20, proposing that individuals who commit assault or inflict bodily injury against transit operators or passengers be barred from public transit services and stations for graduated periods (30 days for a first offense, 180 days for a second offense, and a lifetime ban for a third offense or for assaults involving a weapon).
Union leaders from SMART Transportation Division, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1300 and AFSCME testified in favor, saying repeated offenders sometimes reappear on trains and buses shortly after assaulting operators and that the policy would provide accountability and protect frontline workers. David Pendleton of SMART said the bill “will hold perpetrators of assault accountable” and emphasized the prevalence of repeat incidents; Michael McMillan of ATU Local 1300 described assaults on MTA employees and urged the committee to support the bill.
Multiple transit employees and operators gave detailed first‑hand testimony about harassment, assault, threats with weapons, spitting and property damage. Bus operator Shantice Robinson told the committee about a passenger who first stole her belongings, then threatened to kill her and later brandished a knife while trying to force entry; the episode resulted in an anxiety attack that kept her out of work for six weeks. Another operator, Cheryl Austin, described a passenger who destroyed bus equipment and displayed a knife. Union counsel and police representatives said the change would not seek to increase incarceration but to provide administrative exclusion tools.
WMATA asked for a favorable report with clarifying amendments so the statute applies uniformly across agencies and to ensure the agency’s tariff and board processes align with state law; transit employers and police representatives said policies and enforcement protocols would be adopted by agencies and local police would be involved in removal and enforcement. Witnesses said exclusion decisions would be accompanied by investigation and, when appropriate, criminal referrals; operators said the bill would not rely on uncorroborated allegations and that MTA police and video evidence typically document assaults.
Sponsor and witnesses urged a favorable report; committee members asked about due process, evidence thresholds, disability accommodations and signage. Witnesses said agencies would adopt regulations and posting similar to existing codes of conduct to notify riders of exclusions. No committee vote was taken at the hearing.
