Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB578: Public Safety - Department of State Police - Police-Initiated Towing - Alterations
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
Altering provisions related to the rates the Department of State Police sets for towing companies involved in police-initiated towing of motor vehicles to include the towing and recovery of light-duty vehicles; defining "light-duty towing" as towing and recovery of a vehicle including trailers or semitrailers with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less; and prohibiting approved rates for light-duty towing and recovery from exceeding 80% of the maximum approved rates for medium-duty towing and recovery.
What the bill says
An act concerning Public Safety - Department of State Police - Police-Initiated Towing - Alterations FOR the purpose of altering certain provisions related to the rates the Department of State Police sets for towing companies involved in certain police-initiated towing to include the towing and recovery of certain light-duty vehicles; altering the duties of the Committee on Rate Setting and Complaint Resolution for Police-Initiated Towing and Recovery; and generally relating to police-initiated towing of motor vehicles…
From the enrolled text, May 19, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Public Safety - Department of State Police - Police-Initiated Towing - Alterations FOR the purpose of altering certain provisions related to the rates the Department of State Police sets for towing companies involved in certain police-initiated towing to include the towing and recovery of certain light-duty vehicles; altering the duties of the Committee on Rate Setting and Complaint Resolution for Police-Initiated Towing and Recovery; and generally relating to police-initiated towing of motor vehicles. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Public Safety Section 2-314 and 2-314.1 Annotated Code of Maryland (2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Public Safety 2-314. (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) "Approved rates" means the maximum rates approved by the Department that apply to police-initiated towing and recovery services. (3) "Authorized tow company" means a company providing towing and recovery services at the request of the Department and designated on the tow list. (4) "Heavy-duty towing" means towing and recovery of a vehicle including trailers and semitrailers with a gross vehicle weight rating over 26,000 pounds. (5) "LIGHT-DUTY TOWING" MEANS TOWING AND RECOVERY OF A VEHICLE INCLUDING TRAILERS OR SEMITRAILERS WITH A GROSS VEHICLE …