The Maryland Insurance Administration published a bulletin on some of the provisions of House Bill 1482, effective July 1, 2024. The bill addresses uninsured driving penalties, driver education, and field trip transportation. In addressing uninsured drivers, the bill increases the penalties on vehicle owners not carrying the required minimum insurance coverage for a registered motor vehicle. With the updated penalties, insurers may be required to file updated forms.

HB 1482 increases the penalty for not carrying the minimum required security on a motor vehicle to $200 (previously $150) for the first 30 days. The maximum fine that can be imposed in a 12-month period has been increased to $3,500 (previously $2,500). 

Insurers that state the penalty amounts in their policy forms are required to update those forms to include the updated amounts and are required to file the updated forms with the Administration. The Administration asks that the filing be made as a stand-alone form to expedite the process. Forms must be submitted by June 30, 2024. Forms impacted by HB 1482 must be updated and in use on July 1, 2024. The Department recognizes the short time frame available for insurers to update, submit, and review the forms, and will therefore allow the use of the updated forms as long as they are filed by June 30, 2024.