# Maryland HB 0829: Public Utilities - For-Hire Drivers and Transportation Network Operators - Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Training and Liability Maryland HB 0829, Public Utilities - For-Hire Drivers and Transportation Network Operators - Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Training and Liability, is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Eric Ebersole (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-28 (Approved by the Governor - Chapter 279) (as of 2026-10-19). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0829-2026RS - As of: 2026-10-19 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Maryland HB 0829 - State: Maryland - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: Public Utilities - For-Hire Drivers and Transportation Network Operators - Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Training and Liability - Status: signed - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2026-02-04 - Last action: 2026-04-28, Approved by the Governor - Chapter 279 - Sponsor: Eric Ebersole (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 9 - Subjects: Utility Regulation, Transportation - Generally, Public Safety, Annotated Code of Maryland, Applicants and Applications, Awareness and Outreach, Counties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties; etc., Crimes and Punishments -see also- Penalties and Sentnc; etc., Ethics, Evidence, For-Hire Driving -see also- Taxicabs, Human Trafficking, Information Technology, Job Training -see also- Continuing Ed; Vocational Rehab, Liability, Licenses -see also- AB Lic; Certifications; DrLic; Permits, Municipal Corporations -see also- Annap; Balt, Public Service Commission, Reports, Taxicabs, Transportation -see also- Aircraft; Airports; Boats; etc, Utilities -see also- Recycl; Refuse; Sewage; Teleph; Water - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 3 (293 yes, 4 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 3 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Legal protection for drivers who report trafficking: benefit, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, licensed taxicab, for‑hire, and rideshare drivers are immune from civil and criminal liability for good‑faith reports or responses to suspected human trafficking. This protection also covers applicants and holders of temporary or permanent transportation network operator… - Required trafficking training for taxi and for‑hire drivers: cost, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, all new and renewing taxicab and for‑hire drivers must submit proof of human trafficking training with their applications. Counties and cities must collect this proof for local taxi licenses, and the Public Service Commission requires it for state for‑hire licenses. Appro… - Rideshare drivers must finish training in 30 days: mixed, low. Starting October 1, 2026, rideshare companies cannot let you keep driving unless you complete approved human trafficking training within 30 days after your first prearranged ride. The company must verify you finished it. Approved options include the U.S. DOT course, any nationally recognized course… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Eric Ebersole (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Andre V. Johnson (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Nick Allen (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Regina T. Boyce (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Kris Fair (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Edith J. Patterson (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Steve Johnson (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Jared Solomon (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Sean A. Stinnett (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Sarah Wolek (Democratic), House ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-04-09 | Senate | Third Reading Passed | pass | 39 | 0 | 5 | | 2026-04-09 | House | Third Reading Passed | pass | 131 | 1 | 4 | | 2026-03-19 | House | Third Reading Passed | pass | 123 | 3 | 11 | ## Actions (15) - 2026-04-28: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 279 - 2026-04-09: Passed Enrolled (House) - 2026-04-09: Third Reading Passed (131-1) (House) - 2026-04-09: House Concurs Senate Amendments (House) - 2026-04-09: Third Reading Passed (39-0) (Senate) - 2026-04-08: Second Reading Passed with Amendments (Senate) - 2026-04-08: Favorable with Amendments {683021/1 Adopted (Senate) - 2026-04-08: Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance (Senate) - 2026-03-20: Referred Finance (Senate) - 2026-03-19: Third Reading Passed (123-3) (House) - 2026-03-19: Second Reading Passed with Amendments (House) - 2026-03-19: Favorable with Amendments {233423/1 Adopted (House) - 2026-03-19: Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation (House) - 2026-02-05: Hearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m. (House) - 2026-02-04: First Reading Environment and Transportation (House) ## Bill text - Enacted, 2026-04-28: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_279_hb0829e.pdf) - Enrolled, 2026-04-09: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0829e.pdf) - Third Reading, 2026-03-19: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0829t.pdf) - First Reading, 2026-02-04: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0829f.pdf) ## Related bills - SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization (became law) - SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishment (became law) - SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law) - SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-1 Specialists Act) (became law) - SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits (became law) - HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law) ## Sources - [Enacted (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_279_hb0829e.pdf) - [Enrolled (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0829e.pdf) - [Third Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0829t.pdf) - [First Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0829f.pdf) ## Related - [SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - A…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0496-2026RS) - [SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishm…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0366-2026RS) - [SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0244-2026RS) - [SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0148-2026RS) - [SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0016-2026RS) - [HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0529-2026RS) - [Maryland bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland/bills) - [Maryland state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0829-2026RS (as of 2026-10-19).