Maryland auto glass safety legislation became law on June 1 with the expiration of the state’s veto deadline. The law requires the state Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to adopt regulations that “meet or exceed” the Automotive Glass Replacement Safety Standard (AGRSS). The bill had passed the Maryland House of Delegates by a vote of 128-6 on March 12 and the Maryland Senate 47-0 on April 6. It becomes effective on October 1, 2021 although the MVA has already begun work drafting the regulation language.
The bill, HB 519, is based on model legislation developed and supported by the Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC). Representatives from Glass America and Novus testified at legislative committee hearings in support of the bill. It requires the MVA to “adopt regulations establishing standards and requirements for aftermarket safety glass replacement that … meet or exceed the standards and requirements of the American National Standards Institute/Auto Glass Safety Council/Automotive Glass Replacement Safety Standard.” Aftermarket safety glass is defined as “vehicle safety glass replacement services that occur after the original installation by a vehicle manufacturer.”
In a press statement, bill sponsor Delegate Kumar Barve, Chair of the House Environment and Transportation Committee, said, “I am pleased that my legislation for Maryland to adopt auto glass safety standards has been enacted. I am greatly appreciative of all of the hard work of the safety advocates in supporting this bill. The Motor Vehicle Administration has already begun work on drafting the Automotive Glass Replacement Safety Standard into state law and I look forward to working with them throughout the process.”
AGSC’s top 2021 legislative priority was the introduction of model legislation and to work towards its enactment. With the enactment of legislation in Maryland, AGSC will continue to pursue similar legislative initiatives in other states.