Current with changes from the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 5-329 - Pedestrian safety plan(a)(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.(2) "High-density county" means one of the following jurisdictions: (v) Montgomery County; or(vi) Prince George's County.(3) "Low-density county" means any county not listed in paragraph (2) of this subsection.(b)(1) A county board in a high-density county seeking State funds for the construction of a new school, or the renovation of or an addition to an existing school that would increase the capacity of the school by more than 100 students, shall submit a pedestrian safety plan to the Interagency Commission.(2) A county board in a low-density county shall submit a pedestrian safety plan to the Interagency Commission if the county board is seeking State funds for the construction of a new school, or the renovation of or an addition to an existing school, in a city with more than 10,000 residents and the construction or renovation would increase the capacity of the school by more than 100 students.(3) The Interagency Commission shall approve a pedestrian safety plan if the pedestrian safety plan complies with subsection (c) of this section.(c)(1) A pedestrian safety plan shall:(i) Be developed in collaboration with:1. The county department of transportation or equivalent agency of the jurisdiction listed under subsection (a) of this section whose county board is submitting the plan; and2. The State Highway Administration;(ii) Be limited to the area surrounding the school for which the county board will not provide transportation to students;(iii) Identify existing and potential safe routes for students to walk or bike to the school;(iv) Evaluate the infrastructure, including sidewalk infrastructure, along existing and potential pedestrian or cyclist routes to the school to determine whether increased capacity is necessary;(v) Analyze existing and potential school zones, including the need for expanding school zones on State and county roads; and(vi) Include documentation of public participation and input related to the pedestrian safety plan, including minutes from a public hearing and written comments.(2) A county board, not the Interagency Commission, shall make all determinations about the contents of a pedestrian safety plan.(d) The Interagency Commission may adopt regulations to carry out this section.