Opioid-Associated Disease Prevention and Outreach Programs - Appeals and Membership of Standing Advisory Committee

HB 94 updates Maryland's process for Opioid-Associated Disease Prevention and Outreach Programs. It changes the appeals process so organizations can directly appeal adverse authorization decisions to the Secretary of Health (instead of the Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services). The bill also revises the Standing Advisory Committee's membership, requiring the Secretary or their designee to serve as chair and adding new members including community advocates, health practitioners, and syringe program experts. These changes directly affect local health departments, community-based organizations applying for program authorization, and the Advisory Committee's operations. The bill focuses on procedural adjustments without altering program requirements or funding.