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HB 395

Procurement - Purchase of Opioid Overdose Reversal Drugs From Opioid Settlement Parties - Prohibition

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sandy Rosenberg

Bill prohibited Maryland from purchasing overdose reversal drugs from opioid settlement defendants, aiming to enforce accountability but risking naloxone supply constraints. (Withdrawn February 2025)

Withdrawn by Sponsor
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 395

Legislative bill overview

HB 395 would have prohibited Maryland state and local government entities from purchasing opioid overdose reversal drugs (naloxone/Narcan) from companies that are parties to opioid settlement agreements. The bill aimed to create a procurement restriction based on defendants' settlement status in opioid litigation.

Why is this important

This bill addresses competing public health priorities: expanding access to life-saving overdose reversal medication versus holding opioid settlement defendants accountable through economic pressure. The outcome affects both overdose prevention programs and the enforcement mechanisms of opioid settlements intended to fund treatment and prevention initiatives.

Potential points of contention

  • Effectiveness vs. availability: Restricting purchases from settlement parties could limit supplier options and potentially increase costs or reduce access to naloxone when other manufacturers may have limited capacity
  • Settlement fund allocation: The bill assumes settlement defendants should face additional economic penalties beyond financial settlements, but others argue settlement agreements already establish appropriate accountability and remedy allocation
  • Practical implementation: Determining which entities qualify as "opioid settlement parties" and managing procurement compliance across multiple jurisdictions could create administrative complexity

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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