EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0690*
HOUSE BILL 690
P1 5lr1786
HB 295/24 – HGO CF SB 140
By: Delegate J. Long
Introduced and read first time: January 24, 2025
Assigned to: Health and Government Operations
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Overdose Awareness Day 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 7–416 through 7–421 7
to be Section 7–417 through 7–422, respectively 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 10
BY adding to 11
Article – General Provisions 12
Section 7–416 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 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 HOUSE BILL 690
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 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) 7–416 through 7–421 of Article – General Provisions of the Annotated Code 12
of Maryland be renumbered to be Section(s) 7–417 through 7–422, respectively. 13
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FUR THER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 14
as follows: 15
Article – General Provisions 16
7–416. 17
THE GOVERNOR ANNUALLY SHA LL PROCLAIM AUGUST 31 AS OVERDOSE 18
AWARENESS DAY. 19
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 20
1, 2025. 21