Proposed bill would require Montgomery County panhandlers be permitted
A Montgomery County legislator is proposing panhandler permit legislation.
ROCKVILLE, Md. - A newly proposed panhandler bill is drawing debate in Montgomery County. The measure would require those panhandling to first obtain a county permit before they can solicit vehicles on roadways where the speed exceeds 25-miles-per-hour.
Bill 15-21 -- "Solicitation of Vehicle Occupants in High-Speed Roadways – Permit Requirement," was recently introduced by Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rice, who previously introduced a failed bill that would have banned panhandlers from roadway medians.
This new bill would require those wanting to panhandle on certain county roadways, to affirm they will follow certain road safety rules before they can obtain a soliciting permit. Those rules include obeying traffic signals and only panhandling during daylight hours. The bill says home address information would be asked, but not required. Permit applications would be available at homeless shelters, cooling or heating centers.