Bill > H2230

This bill requires various emergency and public safety organizations (including emergency medical services, emergency departments, law enforcement agencies, sheriffs' offices, fire departments, and coroners) to record and submit location data for fatal and nonfatal opiate overdoses to the state department. These organizations must submit the location information within 24 hours of an overdose or receiving a toxicology report. The center for health information analysis will create and maintain a public website database that displays these overdose locations, with the crucial caveat that no personally identifiable information (such as names, addresses, phone numbers, or social security numbers) will be disclosed. The data collection and storage must comply with federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy regulations. The purpose appears to be creating a transparent, anonymized tool to help the public and policymakers understand the geographic patterns of opiate overdoses in the state. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2024, providing time for agencies to prepare their data collection and reporting processes.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2230