Sec. 53-221. Operating requirements.

   Each fleet and association must:

   (a)   provide centralized administrative, vehicle maintenance, customer service, complaint resolution, dispatch, management, marketing, operational, and driver training services located in the County, or at one or more locations approved by the Director. A fleet or association may obtain these services, with the approval of the Director:

      (1)   from another person or entity who does not hold, or have an interest in, a license issued under this Chapter; or

      (2)   from another fleet or association if the Director finds that joint operations of this type:

         (A)   would promote competition and improve customer service; and

         (B)   would not impair the independence of any fleet or association;

   (b)   designate one to 4 persons with managing or supervisory authority to act on behalf of the fleet or association in all contact with the Department; and

   (c)   file with the Department, in addition to any other data required by law:

      (1)   if the fleet or association is incorporated, a copy of its certificate of incorporation, bylaws, and all other rules and regulations relating to the organization and operation of the entity and its membership;

      (2)   if a corporation holds a license, each year by February 1 a certificate of good standing issued by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation; and

      (3)   information on a form provided by the Department, showing, for each taxicab, the licensee’s name and address, vehicle make, vehicle identification number and taxicab number, and other pertinent information listed on the form. Any change in the information required by this paragraph must be filed in writing with the Department within 2 business days after the change.

   (d)   ensure that each taxicab affiliated with or operating under a license issued to the fleet or association places a written notice, clearly visible to passengers in the vehicle and on a form approved by the Department, that includes a statement:

      (1)   that the customer may choose to pay the fare using any available payment system; and

      (2)   identifies the available credit card processing systems approved by the Department. (2004 L.M.C., ch. 27, § 1; 2015 L.M.C., ch. 39, §1; 2016 L.M.C., ch. 5, §1.)

Sec. 53-222. User-side subsidy programs - participation.

   (a)   Any fleet or association must participate in the County’s user-side subsidy programs, as required by applicable regulations.

   (b)   Each taxicab affiliated with, or operating under a license issued to, a fleet or association that is required to participate in a County’s user-side subsidy program must be equipped to accept payment through the program. (2004 L.M.C., ch. 27, § 1; 2015 L.M.C., ch. 39, § 1; 2016 L.M.C., ch. 5, §1.)

Division 5. Taxicab Vehicles.

Sec. 53-223. Mechanical inspection certificate.

   Before a license is issued under this Chapter, the applicant must furnish a certificate from a state- certified inspection station in good standing that a comprehensive inspection, performed to state standards by a licensed state inspector, shows that the vehicle is mechanically safe. A license must not be issued if the vehicle has been driven more than 150 miles since the inspection was performed. (2004 L.M.C., ch. 27, § 1; 2015 L.M.C., ch. 39, § 1.)

Sec. 53-224. Insurance required.

   (a)   Before the Director issues any passenger vehicle license under this Chapter, the applicant must submit written proof of insurance or self-insurance for the vehicle that covers bodily injury or death to any passenger or other person, and property damage, in the following amounts:

      (1)   $50,000 for bodily injury or death per person;

      (2)   $100,000 for bodily injury or death per accident; and

      (3)   $ 25,000 for property damage.

   (b)   The insurance must be provided by an insurer licensed to do business in the State or, alternatively, under a self insurance program approved and administered by the state motor vehicle agency.

   (c)   If the insurance coverage lapses at any time during the license term, the taxicab license is automatically suspended. The licensee must immediately notify the Department, stop operating the taxicab, and surrender the license to the Department. The Director must promptly reinstate the license if all required insurance coverage is documented to the Director’s satisfaction.

   (d)   Each taxicab must contain sufficient copies of a summary of insurance information, in a form approved by the Director, that may be given to passengers, members of the public, and law enforcement officers. The summary must include:

      (1)   the name and address of the vehicle owner;

      (2)   the vehicle’s license tag number;

      (3)   the name, address, office hours, and telephone number of the insurance claims office responsible for adjusting any insurance claim arising from use of the vehicle; and

      (4)   the name, address, and telephone number of the Department and any other government agency where complaints regarding insurance claims handling may be filed. (2004 L.M.C., ch. 27, § 1; 2015 L.M.C., ch. 39, § 1.)

   Editor’s note—2015 L.M.C., ch. 39, § 5, states: Transition. Notwithstanding the Expedited Effective Date of this Act, the following provisions, amended in Section 1, take effect on October 1, 2015:

   (a) the maximum credit card processing charge under Section 53-218(f)(1);

   (b) the dispute resolution requirements under Section 53-219;

   (c) the deletion of the driver examination requirement under former Section 53-308 (deleted as of October 1, 2015); and

   (d) the minimum liability insurance requirements under Section 53-224.