On February 18, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the Finance Committee in support of SB 589 – Opioid Restitution Fund – Interactive Dashboard with amendments.
This bill seeks to enhance public transparency by requiring the Maryland Office of Overdose Response (MOOR) and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to develop and maintain an interactive dashboard detailing opioid restitution fund spending.
Each funding stream requires extensive reporting to the State, which already collects and audits this information under the National Settlement Agreement and the State Subdivision Agreement. Counties submit detailed abatement plans, which are updated every five years, as well as quarterly grant applications, and performance reports for discretionary funds. Additionally, counties provide compliance reports for opioid remediation programs funded by state and federal sources, such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP).
Rather than requiring local jurisdictions to submit duplicative reports, SB 589 should direct the Department or MOOR to synthesize and publish information from existing county submissions. This will ensure transparency without creating unnecessary administrative burdens that could divert resources from local opioid remediation efforts.
SB 589’s cross-file, HB 798, was heard on February 19 in the House Health and Government Operations Committee. Karrington Anderson testified in support of this bill with amendments.
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