Bill > A578

This bill, known as the "Good Samaritan Emergency Response Act," aims to protect individuals who seek medical help for a drug overdose from criminal charges and penalties. It clarifies that if evidence leading to an arrest, charge, prosecution, conviction, or forfeiture of property was obtained as a direct result of seeking medical assistance for someone experiencing a drug overdose, the person seeking help will not be prosecuted for various drug-related offenses, including possession, use, or being under the influence of controlled dangerous substances, imitation controlled dangerous substances, toxic chemicals, prescription drugs, or drug paraphernalia. This protection also extends to individuals who themselves experience a drug overdose and seek medical assistance. Furthermore, seeking medical help for an overdose will be considered a mitigating circumstance in criminal prosecutions for offenses not covered by this immunity, and it will serve as an affirmative defense in prosecutions for drug-induced deaths. The bill defines a drug overdose as an acute condition resulting from the use of a controlled substance that requires medical attention.