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Bill

HB 141

Task Force on Loneliness and Isolation

2025 Regular Session

Maryland establishes a task force to study loneliness and social isolation as public health problems and recommend state interventions.

Hearing 1/29 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 141

Legislative bill overview

HB 141 establishes a task force in Maryland to study and address loneliness and social isolation as public health issues. The task force would examine the causes, prevalence, and health impacts of loneliness while developing recommendations for state-level interventions and policy responses.

Why is this important

Loneliness and social isolation are increasingly recognized as significant public health concerns linked to cardiovascular disease, depression, cognitive decline, and mortality rates comparable to smoking or obesity. Maryland's task force would provide data-driven recommendations to potentially reduce healthcare costs and improve population wellbeing through targeted prevention strategies.

Potential points of contention

  • Budget and resource allocation: Critics may question whether creating a new task force is the most cost-effective approach, or whether existing public health agencies could address this within current budgets
  • Scope of government involvement: Some may argue loneliness prevention is primarily an individual, family, or community responsibility rather than a state government mandate
  • Implementation feasibility: Translating task force recommendations into actionable policy solutions could prove difficult; unclear what concrete interventions the state can realistically fund or enforce

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

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