ABC27 WHTM Bill mandating dental malpractice insurance clears Pa. Senate

Bill mandating dental malpractice insurance clears Pa. Senate

Legislation that would require dentists to carry malpractice insurance was approved Wednesday by the state Senate.

Senate Bill 388 would require dentists to have liability insurance of at least $1 million per claim and $3 million annually, according to Sen. Pat Vance, R-Cumberland/York, who sponsored the bill.

A dentist would lose his or her license for failure to insure.

"This legislation will ensure that those injured by a dentist can pay for corrective care and be compensated for any pain or suffering they faced," Vance said in a news release. "I'm hopeful this bill will move quickly through the House and be signed by the governor."

The bill was referred to the House Insurance Committee.