Roadside Soliciation Permit Bill Withdrawn

In the middle of a busy legislative session, a bill that would have enabled Montgomery County to set up a permitting system for roadside solicitors has been withdrawn.

MC 20-11, introduced by Sen. Jaime Raskin and Del. Anne Kaiser, whose had passed through the land-use and transportation committee vote and a round of public hearing.

"I wanted more time working on convincing people to have a permitting system rather than an outright ban,” said Kaiser, who represents District 14, which includes northern portions of Montgomery Village. "At this stage of the legislative session, it seemed to make more sense to take up this fight again next year."

Currently, anyone is allowed to ask for money on the medians of roads, as long as they do not step off the curb or harass drivers. Panhandlers and charity groups (including Firefighters’ “Fill the Boot Campaign” for Muscular Dystrophy) have collected donations at major intersections. The legislation would ban anyone from collecting money on a median or sidewalk, unless they had a permit from the County.

Ending the ability for anyone to had wide support among the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee, and Janet Yu, owner of Hollywood East, served on the County's Task Force on the issue. Kaiser added the residents of Colesville and Hillendale had been most outspoken on the issue.

Kaiser said that she was not supportive of an outright ban, but would introduce the bill in the next session. 

“At this point,” she said, “we need to give it a little more time.”