EASTERN SHORE, MD - State Senator Mary Beth Carozza has pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while on the phone.
Police ticketed Carozza on Saturday, March 29 while she was driving on Rt 50 near Keyser Point Road in Worcester County. On April 3, she submitted a guilty prepayment and did not have to appear in court.
Carozza is one of the primary sponsors of Senate Bill 44, or Sherry and Christian’s Law, which would require anyone charged with reckless or negligent driving that results in the death of another to appear in court and may not prepay the fine.
Carozza's charge did not involve any injuries or property damage.
Senator Carozza responded to WBOC’s inquiry on Monday regarding the incident, saying, “I made a mistake, and regret it, and have paid the fine.”
SB 44 has seen bipartisan support in the Maryland State Senate and was passed to the House of Delegates in a 45-0 Senate vote on February 20. It is currently awaiting a first reading in the House.
Monday is the final day of the Maryland legislative session in the General Assembly. If SB 44 does not pass in the House, Carozza and her fellow sponsors will have to refile the bill in the Senate again next session.
Senator Carozza represents District 38, including Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties. She has served the district since 2019.