The Maryland House Economic Matters Committee is scheduled to debate a bill this week by a Carroll County delegate seeking to sharply increase the auto insurance requirements for those convicted of, or granted probation for, alcohol-related driving offenses.

Tanya Thornton Shewell

The bill (HB 526), introduced by Republican Del. Tanya Thornton Shewell, would increase the minimum amounts of required security for the payment of specified claims for bodily injury or death or for the damage or destruction of the property of others from these drivers.

According to the text of the proposed bill, the payment of claims for bodily injury or death arising from an accident of up to $100,000 for any one person and up to $300,000 for any two or more persons, plus interest and costs would need to be secured by drivers convicted of or granted probation for alcohol-related driving offenses.

These individuals would also need to secure coverage for the payment of claims for property of others damaged or destroyed in an accident of up to $100,000, in addition to interests and costs, according to the bill’s text.

Shewell told the Carroll County Times that the intent of the legislation is to ensure greater personal liability insurance is available to those involved in accidents caused by drunk drivers. Currently, she said, the state requires $20,000 as a minimum for personal liability insurance if one person is killed or injured, and $40,000 for two or more people, and $15,000 for destruction of property.

Shewell told the Times that she envisions the higher premium costs as a deterrent to impaired driving.

The hearing on the proposed bill is scheduled for Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. in Annapolis.