1. (a)

   1. (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

   2. (2) “High-density county” means one of the following jurisdictions:

      1. (i) Anne Arundel County;
      2. (ii) Baltimore City;
      3. (iii) Baltimore County;
      4. (iv) Howard County;
      5. (v) Montgomery County; or
      6. (vi) Prince George's County.
   3. (3) “Low-density county” means any county not listed in paragraph (2) of this subsection.

2. (b)

   1. (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. (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. (3) The Interagency Commission shall approve a pedestrian safety plan if the pedestrian safety plan complies with subsection (c) of this section.

3. (c)

   1. (1) A pedestrian safety plan shall:

      1. (i) Be developed in collaboration with:

         1. 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; and
         2. 2. The State Highway Administration;
      2. (ii) Be limited to the area surrounding the school for which the county board will not provide transportation to students;
      3. (iii) Identify existing and potential safe routes for students to walk or bike to the school;
      4. (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;
      5. (v) Analyze existing and potential school zones, including the need for expanding school zones on State and county roads; and
      6. (vi) Include documentation of public participation and input related to the pedestrian safety plan, including minutes from a public hearing and written comments.
   2. (2) A county board, not the Interagency Commission, shall make all determinations about the contents of a pedestrian safety plan.
4. (d) The Interagency Commission may adopt regulations to carry out this section.

Added by Acts 2022, c. 553, § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.