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Maryland bill to streamline food truck licensing passes general assembly

April 12, 2017

A bill that streamlines the health inspection and licensing process for food trucks operating across county lines has passed the Maryland General Assembly, according to The Baltimore Sun. 

The bill, Senate Bill 262/House Bill 771, allows a food truck to operate within 90 miles of its home base without having to obtain multiple health department licenses for each county it visits — giving food truck owners more time on the road and saving them money.

Under the new legislation, which is awaiting Gov. Larry Hogan's signature, the health department in a food truck’s home county would provide the license and inspection needed to operate within a 90-mile radius. The truck could be inspected at the request of another jurisdiction's health department, which could impose fines if food trucks don't comply with their regulations. The new bill also stipulates that each truck must pay up to $300 for a permit in each county where it wants to serve food outside its home jurisdiction.