LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The St. Mary’s County commissioners voted unanimously to include a roadside solicitation ban proposal in their 2026 legislative package Tuesday, a move they said was necessary for public safety.
Commissioner Scott Ostrow reintroduced the measure, which failed in Annapolis last session. The commissioners supported the proposal in 2024, but state lawmakers amended it to apply only to solicitation done in an “aggressive manner,” according to John Houser, deputy attorney of St. Mary’s County.
Those amendments narrowed the definition to behavior such as blocking vehicles or striking them.
This year the roadside solicitation ban is a straight resubmission of last year’s proposal. Houser explained that this would simply add St. Mary’s County to the list of counties where roadside solicitation in medians is prohibited.
“It’s just plain dangerous,” Ostrow said. “On some of these roads where people are going by at 40 miles an hour, you step off that median, it’s a bad day all around.”
Commission President Randy Guy noted the practical nature of the proposal. “It is something we need to look at,” Guy said. “This is about keeping people safe.”
Roadside solicitation typically involves asking for money, a ride (hitchhiking), or other contributions from occupants of vehicles in traffic. Behavior like walking on turning lanes, curbs or leaning into stopped cars causes safety concerns.
Maryland law already prohibits roadside solicitation, with additional restrictions in certain counties that specifically ban solicitation on medians and intersections. Several counties allow limited exceptions, while others enforce outright prohibitions to address public safety concerns.
While the law prohibits roadside solicitations, there are exceptions for persons managing a disabled vehicle, an emergency or permitted charitable fundraising. According to the commissioners, high school car washes or similar activities along sidewalks and in parking lots are not considered prohibited roadside solicitation.
The request for St. Mary’s County to join the list of other counties in enforcing a roadside solicitation ban will now be considered as part of the county’s 2026 legislative package. If the General Assembly approves, roadside solicitation on county medians would no longer be permitted.
Five fast facts about roadside solicitation laws in Maryland:
- Broadly Illegal for Individuals: State law prohibits anyone from standing on a roadway to solicit a ride, employment, business or to sell any merchandise or service to vehicle occupants.
- Panhandling Is Prohibited: Because the law’s only exception is for permitted charities, solicitation for personal need (panhandling) on a roadway is illegal.
- Charity Fundraising Requires a Permit: The only exception to the ban is for registered charitable organizations, and they must first obtain an official permit.
- Permits Are Location-Specific: The Maryland State Highway Administration issues permits for state highways (like routes 4, 5 and 235), while St. Mary’s County would be responsible for issuing permits for county-maintained roads.
- Safety Rules Are Mandatory: Even with a permit, solicitors must be at least 18 years old and are required by law to wear high-visibility safety apparel.
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There’s a solicitor that stands at the corner of Rt 235 and Andrew’s Church Rd that lives better that most people that contribute to him. He’s on housing, lives in beautiful apt, gets disability, and food stamps. He has a lot of nerve to be doing what he’s doing.
You must be referring to “Fingers”?
That guy just needs to go away.
Blatant first amendment violation.
So if it’s already illegal, why don’t they lock up the panhandlers at Rt. 4 & 235???
Trey says, LOCK EM UP!
This is a blatant attempt by the wealthy to inhibit the poor. Most of the panhandling I see is at intersections where traffic is stopped. I have never seen people try to step out in moving traffic to solicit. Another case where empathy is being replaced by callous disregard for the downtrodden.
need to band it was getting out of hand and giving the town a over all rundown look as like it look up in Dc and Baltimore!! i approve for this law