Bill > B25-0423

Introduced Session

an Act of 2023.” Please find enclosed a signed copy of the legislation. In response to natural and human-made disasters and emergencies, we rely on licensed professionals to voluntarily render aid. To make sure that these licensed professionals are not discouraged from providing that critical assistance, current law protects some types of professionals against civil liability when rendering aid to those in need. This type of law is known as a “Good Samaritan” law, and it is frequently invoked in situations involving help provided by physicians in medical or life-threatening emergencies. Architects and registered civil, geotechnical, and structural engineers are more than willing to volunteer their skills and time to help communities rebuild and safely respond to natural or human-made disasters. For example, these professionals may be called on by state or local emergency management agencies to provide immediate post-crisis safety and habitability evaluations of homes, buildings, or other infrastructure in the event of a fire, building collapse, or severe weather. Forty-one states across the country - including Maryland and Virginia -- have Good Samaritan laws in place to protect architects and engineers who provide disaster assistance from civil liability. This legislation would have the District join the supermajority of states across the country by providing immunity from civil damages, absent gross negligence or willful misconduct, to licensed architects or professional engineers who, in good faith and without compensation, utilize their professional skills in providing rescue or relief assistance at the scene of or in connection with a natural or human-made disaster or other life-threatening emergency. Please feel free to reach out to me or my Legislative Director, Antonio Nunes, with any questions or for additional information. Sincerely, Charles Allen, Ward 6 Councilmember Chairperson, Committee on Transportation & the Environment Vice Chair, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Councilmember Brooke Pinto Councilmember Charles Allen Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. A BILL IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA To provide civil immunity, absent gross negligence or willful misconduct, to licensed architects and professional engineers who, in good faith and without compensation, utilize their professional skills in providing rescue or relief assistance at the scene of or in connection with a natural or human-made disaster or other life-threatening emergency.

Committee Categories

Charles Allen (D)*,  Brianne Nadeau (D)*,  Brooke Pinto (D)*,  Robert White (D)*,  Vince Gray (D), 

Referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety (on 09/19/2023)

Official Document