Md. Code, Transp. § 7-717

Current with changes from the 2024 Legislative Session

Section 7-717 - Annual report on assaults on public transit operators

(a) Before announcing any reduction or cancellation of a capital expansion project in the construction program of the Consolidated Transportation Program that exceeds the thresholds developed by the Administration, the Department, in collaboration with the Administration, shall:

(1) Conduct a transit equity analysis in accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act and the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended to determine whether the change will create a disparate impact on persons with disabilities;

(2) Conduct a transit equity analysis in accordance with the Title VI Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients and the guidelines developed by the Administration to determine whether the reduction or cancellation will create a disparate impact or a disproportionate burden;

(3) Perform a cost-benefit analysis, including an analysis of impacts on:

(i) Economic development;

(ii) Employment;

(iii) Education;

(iv) Health; and

(v) Environmental justice; and

(4) Consult with members and leaders of affected communities, including through community outreach to:

(i) Racial minority communities;

(ii) Low-income communities;

(iii) Disabled riders;

(iv) Riders with limited English proficiency;

(v) Transit-reliant riders; and

(vi) Senior riders.

(b)

(1) After completing the requirements under subsection (a) of this section, the Administration shall compile a report on the impacts of the proposed reduction or cancellation of a capital expansion project in the construction program of the Consolidated Transportation Program.

(2) The report shall include:

(i) The transit equity analysis;

(ii) The cost-benefit analysis; and

(iii) A community outreach report.

(3) The report shall be:

(i) Made available to the public on the Administration's website, with a visible link from the primary information page relating to the proposed reduction or cancellation; and

(ii) Distributed to:

1. The members of the Board of Public Works;

2. The Attorney General;

3. The Secretary of Transportation;

4. Any elected officials whose districts would be impacted by the proposed service change;

5. Any community leaders consulted during the community outreach process; and

6. In accordance with § 2-1257 of the State Government Article:

A. The President of the Senate;

B. The Speaker of the House;

C. The Senate Finance Committee; and

D. The House Environment and Transportation Committee.

Md. Code, TR § 7-717

Added by 2023 Md. Laws, Ch. 503, Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2023.

Added by 2023 Md. Laws, Ch. 502, Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2023.