Maryland Passes Monumental Transit Safety Bill

A Maryland bill designed to protect bus and passenger rail workers from violent assaults has officially passed both chambers of the state legislature and is now headed to the governor’s desk for signature. 

The bill was championed by SMART-TD Maryland State Safety and Legislative Director David Pendleton, who took office in September 2024. HB-1144//SB-858 State Public Transit – Exclusion for Assault and Other Bodily Injury is his first legislative victory. 

Bill to create labor-lead workgroup, passenger code of conduct, dangerous passenger bans and more 

The new legislation requires the Maryland Transit Administration to form a safety-focused workgroup in consultation with SMART-TD, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), AFSME, and WMATA. Together, they will create a passenger code of conduct and roll out a variety of internal safety improvements.  

The bill also enforces bans on individuals who commit assaults, an provides an appeals process and ensures protections for individuals being treated for behavioral disabilities. 

“This is more than a bill. It’s a green light for unions and workers to take ownership of solving the transit violence problem in Maryland,” Pendleton said. “It took teamwork to make this Dream Work! Through the efforts of our Legislative Board especially Assistant Director Tom Cahill, through a strong partnership with the Amalgamated Transit Union as well as AFSCME, and with our friends in the Legislature, Delegate Jackie Addison (Dist.-45) and Senator Shaneeka Henson (Dist.- 30) who led from the front on transit safety, we got this done.” 

The workgroup begins in June, with new policies going into effect by October 1, 2025. 

Member Testimonials Turned the Tide 

SMART-TD members came to Annapolis to share their harrowing experiences of being assaulted in the performance of their duties. “We had so much support from our members here who helped us pass this bill. Our members submitted written testimony, made calls, and they came in person to testify. It’s not easy to step into the state house and handle the pressure, but they did, and it made all the difference for this bill,” Pendleton said. 

Assistant Safety and Legislative Director Tom Cahill, drawing on his extensive tenure as a Legislative Representative for SMART-TD Local 631 and his 10 years of service on Maryland’s State Legislative Board, emphasized that the way legislators reacted to the testimony of SMART-TD members was both powerful and effective. 

“You could tell from the reactions in the room and the thoughtful follow-up questions they asked that the legislators really heard us,” Cahill said. “They connected with the stories, and that kind of engagement doesn’t happen by accident.” 

Among the Maryland members who lent their voice and experience to this cause was Brother Jay Johnson (Local 1470). During Brother Johnson’s testimony about an assault he was subjected to on the job, he showed Maryland’s legislators the scars he was left with. He bravely showed the lawmakers the evidence of the need for this bill by displaying the marks left on the back of his head following plastic surgery done to repair damage from when he was attacked with a blunt instrument while working his train.  

Brother Brian Perry (Local 1470) shared a testimony about how he suffered assault while defending a Co-worker aboard his train. He was trying to keep an unruly passenger away from a fellow employee when the attacker turned on him.  

Sister Trena Few (Local 1470) gave her testimony about how she was spit on while working and how another conductor had to step in to defend her.  

Cahill also gave powerful testimony to Maryland legislators, speaking from his three decades of experience as a railroader. He laid bare the reality of life on the rails, stressing that “on the railroad, a routine day can go sideways in an instant.”  

Cahill explained that this bill lays the groundwork for union members to formally log repeat offenders who harass, threaten, or assault transportation workers and ultimately get them barred from all forms of public transportation across the state. “This is about protecting the men and women who protect your constituents every day,” Cahill said. “When our members are safe, the public is safer too.” 

Former SLD Larry Kasecamp laid the groundwork for victory 

Brother Pendleton credits much of the success passing the bill to his predecessor, Larry Kasecamp.  

“Larry laid the foundation for everything. This was my first Legislative Session as Director. Many legislators might not have known my name, but they sure as hell knew what SMART-TD was and what we stand for,” Pendleton said. “That’s all because of Larry’s passionate advocacy over his 30-plus-year career. This bill is part of his legacy in Maryland.” 

Pendleton garnered unanimous support for the bill 

SLD Cahill was quick to acknowledge the work of SLD Pendleton’s pivotal role in the bill’s success. 

“David is a very good communicator,” Cahill said. “He told our members’ story in a way that got buy-in from both houses of the legislature and both political parties. That’s not something you see every day.” 

Cahill praised SLD Pendleton’s strategic selection of union members to testify. “He chose people who could speak to the heart of the issue, and he chose well,” Cahill said. “You could see from the body language in that room that it hit the mark.” 

Regarding our members’ testimony, SLD Pendleton had this to say, “When I first introduced HB-1144, I couldn’t find a legislator willing to sponsor it. After Delegate Addison and Senator Henson heard our members’ experiences, everything changed. They powerfully took up our cause. Protecting not only our members, but also their constituents and everyone who utilizes transit services in Maryland.  

“Once our members got done sharing their stories and experiences, the conversations completely changed. I had legislators mad that I didn’t bring it to them to get first dibs on being the lead sponsor. When our members’ testimony was all said and done, it was a very popular bill and passed with unanimous support from both sides of the aisle!”  

SLD Pendleton told SMART News the power of the testimony given by these two members and many more like them, absolutely turned the tide and was the difference between pushing for and passing this legislation.   

Brother David Pendleton’s Mission and Leadership 

Pendleton (Local 1470-Edmonston, MD) is an Amtrak Conductor and Brakeman who took on the role of SLD with a clear mission to stand up for the safety and dignity of every member in Maryland. “Like many of us, I grew up on the railroad. My father, Joe was a conductor for 27 years. I used to come to work with him all the time as a kid.  

“I was 20 years old when I hired onto Amtrak. This is more than just a job for me. More of my life has been spent on the railroad than off of it. The membership of SMART-TD is more than just my union brothers and sisters; you ARE my brothers and sisters. I’ve seen firsthand our members being physically assaulted for doing their jobs. I know firsthand of members who were sexually assaulted onboard trains we work on. I have been physically assaulted in the performance of my duties as a conductor. 
 
“This legislation will help ensure a safer working environment for not only us, but all transit workers and the public utilizing transit services throughout the State of Maryland.” 

Congratulations to Brother Pendleton and all SMART-TD members in Maryland for your historic victory.