Community Access

Can I provide input on spending?

• 15% state share and 15% State Discretionary Abatement Fund share: Depends on future programming (not required). Though the state is not required to seek public input on its uses of settlement funds, the Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council (Council), which recommends expenditures from these shares,[1] has in the past included dedicated time in some of its past meetings for questions and comments from the public,[2] convened public listening sessions, and circulated public surveys to gather input on settlement spending. However, the Council does not regularly include dedicated public comment periods at all its meetings,[3] which are required to take place at least four times a year but typically occur monthly.[4]

• 25% local share and 45% Targeted Abatement Grants share: Up to each locality (not required).[5] Local governments are not required to seek public input on uses of their shares. However, each may choose to seek such input. For example, Harford County hosted several listening sessions to receive public recommendations to “help determine a framework and next steps” for uses of its funds.[6] Watch for other opportunities to weigh in on spending decisions for Maryland’s cities, counties, and towns, such as council meetings and town halls.

Can I apply for grants?

Yes. Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response has established settlement-funded grant opportunities for which community organizations are eligible to apply. Visit the MOOR Grant Programs page to view current funding opportunities. Local governments also may create grant programs to distribute their share of funds. The existence, parameters, and processes for local settlement grant programs will vary by locality, so stay alert for new opportunities. Visit the Opioid Settlement Community Grants Portals (OpioidSettlementTracker.com and Legal Action Center) for the most up-to-date information on settlement grant opportunities for community organizations.

Where do I go for updates?

• For updates on the Targeted Abatement Grants share,[7] a good starting point is to check the websites for your county council, city council, or local health department. You can also refer to the Maryland Association of Counties’ various opioid settlement-related articles on its Opioids page. See also Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council (Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response).

• For updates on the local share,[8] a good starting point is to check the websites for your county council, city council, or local health department. You can also refer to the Maryland Association of Counties’ various opioid settlement-related articles on its Opioids page.

• For updates on the state share, visit the Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council’s website and join Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response mailing list.

• For updates on the State Discretionary Abatement Fund share, visit the Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council’s website and join Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response mailing list.

• You can also sign up for updates from Community Education Group’s Appalachian Opioid Remediation (AOR) Database, which tracks information about the 13 states of Appalachia.

What else should I know?

Not applicable.

Citations

1. These shares are “subject to ORF Advisory Council recommendations.” Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council (“Settlement Overview”). Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response website. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑

2. Emily Keller. “Re: State Finance and Procurement Article § 7–331 (Chapter 537 of the Acts of 2019)—Opioid Restitution Fund Expenditure Report (MSAR # 14240)”. Maryland Opioid Operational Command Center. November 1, 2023. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“Between November 2022 and August 2023, the ORF Advisory Council met twelve times and held two public listening sessions. Members of the public were able to submit written comments at any time to the [e-mail] inbox to be shared with the council in addition to the opportunity to share comments and ask questions at the end of each advisory council meeting. Throughout the meetings and listening sessions, the council heard from state officials regarding data and gaps in service, community organizations, and individuals directly impacted by the overdose crisis”). ↑

3. Compare 8/14/2023 Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council Meeting Agenda (Agenda item VII: “Questions/Comments from the Public”) with 4/30/2024 Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council Meeting Agenda (no such agenda item). ↑

4. Md. Health-General Code Ann. Sec. 7.5-904(a)(3). See agendas and minutes from prior meetings of the Council here. ↑

5. Excepting monies that are automatically distributed to Qualifying Charter Counties, funds from the Targeted Abatement Grants are awarded through a non-competitive program to cities, counties, and towns. Qualifying Charter Counties include Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties. State-Subdivision Agreement Between the State of Maryland and Local Governments on Proceeds Relating to the Settlement of Opioids Litigation (“2022 Maryland State-Subdivision Agreement”), Sec. I(k) (applying to Distributors and Janssen). See also State-Subdivision Agreement Between the State of Maryland and Participating Local Governments on Proceeds from Settlement of Opioids Litigation Against Teva, Allergan, Walmart, and Walgreens (“2023 Maryland State-Subdivision Agreement”), Sec. I (providing that except as otherwise specified, the terms of the 2022 Maryland State-Subdivision Agreement apply to the settlements with Teva, Allergan, Walmart, and Walgreens). ↑

6. Harford County Seeks Public Input on Use of Opioid Restitution Funds. Hartford County Executive press release. April 2, 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024. Harford County also launched a survey to determine respondents’ opioid settlement planning-related focus group interests. ↑

7. These shares are “[n]ot subject to ORF Advisory Council recommendations.” Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council (“Settlement Overview”). Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response website. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑

8. Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council (“Settlement Overview”). Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response website. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑