1208                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND                                      Ch. 287

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect June 1, 1986.

Approved May 13, 1986.

CHAPTER 287

(Senate Bill 15)

AN ACT concerning

Vehicle Laws - Mandatory Seat Belt Usage

FOR the purpose of providing that, unless each occupant certain
occupants of an outboard front seat of certain motor
vehicles is are restrained by a seat belt, a person may not
operate the motor vehicle; defining certain terms; providing
that a person who is at least a certain age may not be a
passenger in an outboard front seat of a motor vehicle
unless the person is restrained by a seat belt; providing
certain exceptions to this Act; providing that this Act may
not be deemed to amend or affect certain existing laws;
rules, or procedures, providing that a violation of this Act
is not considered a moving violation for the purpose of
assessment of points; establishing that failure of an
individual to use a seat belt in violation of this Act may
not be considered evidence of negligence or contributory
negligence, limit certain liability, or diminish recovery
for certain damages in a civil action for damages;
prohibiting certain persons from making reference to a seat
belt during certain trials; clarifying language; requiring a
court to order separate trials for joint tort-feasors or
defendants in a civil action under certain circumstances;
providing that a police officer may enforce the provisions
of this Act only under certain circumstances; stating the
legislative intent of this Act with respect to certain
federal safety standards; providing that the Motor Vehicle
Administration and the Maryland State Police shall establish
certain prevention and education programs; providing that
the Administration shall include certain information in the
annual evaluation report on this State's Highway Safety
Plan; requiring the Secretary of Transportation and the
Insurance Commissioner jointly to submit certain reports,
including specific information, to the General Assembly
prior to certain dates; providing a certain penalty; and
generally relating to the requirement that certain occupants
of certain motor vehicles be restrained by seat belts.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Transportation
Section 27-106