WMABA Continues to Closely Monitor “Pop Up” Maryland ADAS Bill
by Alana Quartuccio
WMABA’s mission is to serve the best interests of collision repairers and consumers through advocacy, education and resources. So if the best interests of collision repair shops are at risk in any way, one can rest assured WMABA will fight for the best possible outcome.
Earlier this year, the association learned about Senate Bill 789, a bill that set out to regulate ADAS calibration work at body shops. WMABA Executive Director Jordan Hendler has been vocal about what she calls “pop up” legislation.
“I was first made aware of the legislation to regulate ADAS repairs and calibrations because of a round-up article posted by the industry news source CRASH Network,” reports Hendler. “This triggered our realization that our monitoring hadn’t detected this type of bill being introduced. Although it felt like we arrived late to the party, we were still early enough in the process to provide feedback and testify in the scheduled hearings.”
As Hendler reported during the Governmental Committee panel discussion at the April Collision Industry Conference (see grecopublishing.com/hd0626ntlnews/), the bill was originated by a frustrated calibration professional who got the attention of state legislators to pursue ADAS calibration legislation at the local level, as the individual felt legislation at the federal level was not moving fast enough.
“WMABA is very pro-repairer, and pro-repairers-fixing-cars-properly,” Hendler stresses. “Because the bill intended to pull enforcement authority from multiple entities to regulate repair facilities, we had many concerns about the language and methodology. Primarily, our concerns centered around feasibility from the agencies, including their knowledge capacities and the language that could lead to enforcement extending well beyond what even OEM certification would provide.”
Back in March, Hendler testified against the bill to drive home the fact that the state does not have the means to effectively police ADAS calibrations.
“Much of the calibration process is defined, but the equipment and capabilities vary by vehicle and even by model,” she stated. “It is unlikely that a state-run program could identify what constitutes a proper repair, and further, how would they enforce those outcomes? They would need training beyond what our own technicians receive, covering every make of car on Maryland roads. On top of that, the language was unfairly punitive to the repairer and unbalanced regarding holding insurers to the same standard of reimbursing for this level of proper repair; something not found in today’s marketplace. As this is being addressed federally, WMABA doesn’t believe a single state program will bring any positive achievement and only cost repairers more frustration, time and money.”
The bill wound up changing a few times with proposed amendments. The final amendment established a study group with the following charge:
The Motor Vehicle Administration shall study the repair of advanced driver assistance systems and make recommendations on the feasibility of legislation related to the repair of advanced driver assistance systems and training requirements for advanced driver assistance systems.
According to Hendler, the identified positions of the study group are outlined as:
(1) the Maryland Insurance Administration;
(2) the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association;
(3) the American Automobile Association;
(4) the property and casualty insurance industry;
(5) a national highway safety organization;
(6) a glass repair company;
(7) an automobile body shop trade association;
(8) an advanced driver assistance training company;
(9) an advanced driver assistance manufacturing company; and
(10) an advanced driver assistance systems parts company.
Position seven outlines where WMABA could be identified as the involved trade association. Hendler says that the association will participate if included as part of the study group.
“This year, we worked on four different state bills as an association,” she reports. “We have amended our identification processes so that we will know immediately when a bill drops that could affect our industry. Additionally, we plan to manually review every bill in case amendments change its relevance to our industry.”
Hendler reminds WMABA members that their communication and support can also go very far. “We want our members to know how much it matters that they respond when their senator or delegate is involved – whether by committee or initiation – in a piece of legislation. It is important those representatives hear from their own constituents when making decisions affecting their livelihoods.”
Contact WMABA at (804) 789-9649 or email info@wmaba.com to learn how you can communicate with your local representatives!
Want more? Check out the July 2026 issue of Hammer & Dolly!