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If passed, people who violate the law would have to pay a $60 fine. Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Harford and Washington counties already have similar legislation in place.

The bill had seen some opposition from firefighters who often collect money from the public during fundraising efforts on county streets, but Sen. Jim Rosapepe (Dist. 21) of College Park said Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold reached a compromise. Firefighters would be able to collect donations outside certain grocery stores.

Rosapepe said the District 21 state legislators worked with the Anne Arundel County delegation in Annapolis and Leopold to introduce the bill.

‘‘The bottom line is that everyone’s working together,” Rosapepe said. ‘‘[But] the initiative was from the 21st District delegation.”

Sen. James DeGrange (D-Dist. 32) of Glen Burnie added banning campaign sign waving and sandwich board advertising to the bill.

Tim Reyburn, president of the Western County Federation of Civic Associations, said people in Russett have been trying to get roadside soliciting to stop at least for the past four years. He said that pushing the bill makes people sound heartless, but that many times the panhandlers aren’t legitimate.

‘‘People around here have memorized the cast of characters,” Reyburn said. ‘‘There’s a husband and wife couple that drives up and parks and then asks for money, posing as homeless people. If you follow them, you’ll see them get in their car and go off to wherever they live.”

Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Dist. 21) of College Park said when she spoke with Laurel-area residents while campaigning last year, the number one issue constituents wanted addressed was the panhandling problem. She said residents found it annoying and unsafe that people would walk between cars at stoplights to collect money.

Alex Ksanznak, store manager at Family Christian Stores on Fort Meade Road, said he did not believe the panhandlers were causing safety problems. However, he thinks the ban would be a good idea.

‘‘I find it irritating when I have to deal with it five days a week coming to work,” he said. ‘‘It’s not a safety issue, it’s just an inconvenience.”

Exxon owner Curtis Accipiter said his customers often complain about the panhandlers near the gas station, and he does his best to keep them away.

‘‘Generally, I keep them away from the store,” he said. ‘‘If they walk up to customers at the pump it usually scares them.”

Peña-Melnyk said the Anne Arundel County Community College did a survey of residents, and 70 percent said they wanted a total ban on panhandling.

But Maryland City resident Robin Brown said the panhandling does not bother her.

‘‘I know some people find it annoying, but those people are hungry,” she said. ‘‘I’m not going to say I haven’t given them money before because I have.”

E-mail Maya T. Prabhu at mprabhu@gazette.net.