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SB 83

Public Health - Overdose and Infectious Disease Prevention Services Program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Shelly Hettleman

Maryland bill establishes state overdose and infectious disease prevention program, formalizing harm reduction services and disease screening for substance users.

Hearing 2/04 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 83

Legislative bill overview

SB 83 establishes a Public Health - Overdose and Infectious Disease Prevention Services Program in Maryland, likely creating or formalizing funding and operational structures for harm reduction and disease prevention efforts. The bill addresses two interconnected public health crises: opioid overdoses and the transmission of infectious diseases (such as HIV and hepatitis C) often associated with substance use.

Why is this important

Overdose deaths remain a leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in Maryland and nationwide, while injection drug use drives infectious disease transmission. Formalizing prevention services through dedicated legislation can improve program consistency, secure sustained funding, and establish clear public health protocols—potentially reducing both deaths and long-term healthcare costs associated with preventable diseases.

Potential points of contention

  • Harm reduction philosophy: Opponents may view overdose prevention services (like needle exchange programs) as enabling drug use rather than promoting abstinence-based recovery
  • Funding and resource allocation: Questions about budget impact, whether funds come from new sources or redirect from other programs, and which communities receive priority services
  • Implementation scope: Debate over which specific services (medication-assisted treatment, naloxone distribution, supervised consumption sites, etc.) the program should fund and whether they align with federal regulations

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

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