# Maryland SB 0473: Public Utilities - For-Hire Drivers and Transportation Network Operators - Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Training and Liability Maryland SB 0473, Public Utilities - For-Hire Drivers and Transportation Network Operators - Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Training and Liability, is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Shelly Hettleman (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-28 (Approved by the Governor - Chapter 278) (as of 2026-10-19). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0473-2026RS - As of: 2026-10-19 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Maryland SB 0473 - 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: Senate - Introduced: 2026-02-02 - Last action: 2026-04-28, Approved by the Governor - Chapter 278 - Sponsor: Shelly Hettleman (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 2 - 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., Ethics, Evidence, For-Hire Driving -see also- Taxicabs, Human Trafficking, 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: 2 (173 yes, 4 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 3 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Legal protection for drivers reporting trafficking: benefit, medium. Beginning October 1, 2026, covered Maryland taxi and for-hire drivers receive protection when reporting or responding to suspected human trafficking. The protection also covers app-based driver license applicants and temporary or permanent license holders. They cannot be held civilly or criminally… - App-based drivers face trafficking training deadline: cost, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, Maryland app-based driver applicants and temporary or permanent license holders must complete qualifying trafficking-awareness training. Companies must enforce completion within 30 days after the driver's first prearranged ride to allow continued service through their app… - Taxi and for-hire drivers face training requirements: cost, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, Maryland for-hire drivers must show completed trafficking-awareness training for initial, temporary, or renewed licenses. Local governments licensing drivers of locally based taxis must also require proof of training. Training must cover recognizing victims, responding to… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Shelly Hettleman (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Katie Fry Hester (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Sara Love (Democratic), Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-04-08 | House | Third Reading Passed | pass | 128 | 4 | 6 | | 2026-03-12 | Senate | Third Reading Passed | pass | 45 | 0 | | ## Actions (13) - 2026-04-28: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 278 - 2026-04-08: Returned Passed (Senate) - 2026-04-08: Third Reading Passed (128-4) (House) - 2026-04-03: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed (House) - 2026-04-03: Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation (House) - 2026-03-25: Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m. (House) - 2026-03-13: Referred Environment and Transportation (House) - 2026-03-12: Third Reading Passed (45-0) (Senate) - 2026-03-10: Second Reading Passed with Amendments (Senate) - 2026-03-10: Favorable with Amendments {263725/1 Adopted (Senate) - 2026-03-09: Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance (Senate) - 2026-02-04: Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m. (Senate) - 2026-02-02: First Reading Finance (Senate) ## Bill text - Enacted, 2026-04-28: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_278_sb0473t.pdf) - Third Reading, 2026-03-10: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0473t.pdf) - First Reading, 2026-02-02: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0473f.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_278_sb0473t.pdf) - [Third Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0473t.pdf) - [First Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0473f.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-SB0473-2026RS (as of 2026-10-19).