Public Health - Nonopioid Advance Directives

HB 737 allows any competent adult in Maryland to create a written "nonopioid advance directive" refusing opioid medication - such as painkillers - during emergencies when they cannot communicate their wishes. The Maryland Department of Health must develop and post a standard form for this directive on its website by October 1, 2025, and adopt regulations to implement the law. This bill directly affects individuals seeking to specify opioid refusal preferences in medical emergencies, building on existing advance directive procedures without altering current medical protocols.