The Auto Glass Safety Council is in support of HB 519 and SB 445, legislation that would establish mandatory state safety standards for windshield replacement in Maryland vehicles.
Maryland law presently requires vehicles to have windshields comprised of “safety glass”, as defined under the law, and vehicle owners to replace any broken windshield with safety glass. Maryland law, however, does not presently prescribe standards for windshield replacement regarding who may install safety glass, their qualifications, and the manner in which it should be installed.
HB 519, introduced by House Environment and Transportation Committee chairperson Kumar Barve, and SB 445 direct the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration to “adopt regulations establishing standards and requirements for aftermarket safety glass replacement that meet or exceed the standards and requirements under the Automotive Glass Replacement Safety Standard (AGRSS) established by the Auto Glass Safety Council”.
Adoption of state regulations that “meet or exceed” the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standard will ensure that all windshield replacements performed in Maryland are done by trained and qualified technicians in accordance with the latest stringent safety procedures. AGSC members spoke on behalf of the bill in the House Environment and Transportation Committee hearing on February 4, 2021 and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee hearing on February 10, 2021.
The Auto Glass Safety Council salutes the State of Maryland for being one of the first to begin the process of codifying existing voluntary industry auto glass replacement safety standards into state law. This is an important step forward in protecting automobile occupants by ensuring that auto service providers perform the ever-increasing complex computer driven auto glass replacement processes in a safe and professional manner.
Maryland HB 519 has been assigned to the House Environment and Transportation Committee. For the text of the bill, CLICK HERE.
Maryland SB 445 has been assigned to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. For text of the bill, CLICK HERE.