# City Council Hearing: Public Health & Environment Committee; September 30, 2026

The Public Health & Environment Committee of the Baltimore City Council held a hearing on September 30, 2026, on Council Bill 26-225, the Mental Health Resource Awareness Act. The bill would establish a 988 awareness program through the Mayor’s Office of Overdose Response, require notices in English and Spanish in specified city buildings and businesses, provide 988 resource cards, and train certain public-facing city employees. CarePoint Response and Behavioral Health System Baltimore supported the bill. The Mayor’s Office of Overdose Response noted that the city has invested $10 million in BHSB through a grant for 988 marketing and education, and suggested leveraging existing funding and partnerships for implementation; no new contract award or procurement approval was presented.

The Law Department estimated printing at about $200 for 500 flyers, said translation and posting could likely be absorbed within existing resources, and reported that training development and enforcement costs remain undetermined. Committee members discussed expanding the locations where materials could be posted and clarifying enforcement responsibilities; the chair said proposed language could be considered for second reader. The committee approved a motion to advance the bill, with six votes in favor and one excused absence, to second reader at the October 19 council meeting. A briefing on crisis-response services was also requested within 30 days.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Healthcare, Public Safety
**Topics:** Emergency Response
**Published:** September 30, 2026

### Sources
- [City Council Hearing: Public Health & Environment Committee; September 30, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8MVxTwaGio) - CharmTV Citizens' Hub