EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0100*
SENATE BILL 100
P1 2lr0406
SB 936/21 – EHE (PRE–FILED) CF 2lr1671
By: Senator Jackson
Requested: August 26, 2021
Introduced and read first time: January 12, 2022
Assigned to: Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
General Provisions – Commemorative Days – Overdose Awareness 2
FOR the purpose of requiring the Governor annually to proclaim a certain day as Overdose 3
Awareness Day. 4
BY renumbering 5
Article – General Provisions 6
Section 7–414 through 7–417, respectively 7
to be Section 7–415 through 7–418, respectively 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 10
BY adding to 11
Article – General Provisions 12
Section 7–414 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 15
Preamble 16
WHEREAS, Drug addiction is a chronic disease, characterized by compulsive or 17
difficult–to–control drug use despite harmful consequences; and 18
WHEREAS, Drug addiction is seen by both the Centers for Disease Control and 19
Prevention and the World Health Organization as a fast–growing epidemic that can all too 20
easily lead to overdose and death; and 21
WHEREAS, For every drug overdose that results in death, there are many more 22
nonfatal overdoses, each taking an emotional and economic toll on the individual, the 23
individual’s family, and the community at large; and 24 2 SENATE BILL 100
WHEREAS, Drug addiction can fuel feelings of shame, guilt, embarrassment, 1
depression, and hopelessness, causing individuals to resist seeking treatment and support; 2
and 3
WHEREAS, Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on August 31 each year 4
that aims to raise awareness of drug overdoses, reduce the stigma of a drug–related death, 5
and acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or 6
had a permanent injury as a result of a drug overdose; and 7
WHEREAS, Recognizing Overdose Awareness Day in Maryland sends a strong 8
message to former or current substance users, namely, that they are valued, and that 9
overdose death is preventable; now, therefore, 10
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 11
That Section(s) 7–414 through 7–417, respectively, of Article – General Provisions of the 12
Annotated Code of Maryland be renumbered to be Section(s) 7 –415 through 7–418, 13
respectively. 14
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the La ws of Maryland read 15
as follows: 16
Article – General Provisions 17
7–414. 18
THE GOVERNOR ANNUALLY SHA LL PROCLAIM AUGUST 31 AS OVERDOSE 19
AWARENESS DAY. 20
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 21
1, 2022. 22