The Maryland Insurance Administration published a bulletin after the recent passage of House Bill 212 and what that means for the insurance industry. The bill takes effect July 1, 2024, and establishes a pilot program allowing the use of noise abatement monitoring systems in Montgomery County and Prince George's County. 

The bill allows for civil penalties for violations of motor vehicle noise requirements. A vehicle registering over 5 decibels over the maximum sound level limit would be in violation. HB 304 from January 2023 listed a maximum limit of 95 decibels. The maximum limit is not mentioned in the current bill, but refers to statute 22-601 which currently is not showing a limit. We will provide that information when it becomes available.  

The penalty for a liable driver is a warning for the first offense and a civil penalty of $75 for each subsequent offense. Section 22-612(I) states that a civil penalty of this bill is not considered a moving violation and won't assess points to a driver's license, cannot be recorded on the driving record of the driver by the Administration, and an important point that the Department wants to stress, cannot be used in the issuance or renewal of motor vehicle insurance coverage. Insurers cannot take the civil penalties into consideration in making their rates, rules, forms, or underwriting decisions.