Bill > S346

This bill amends two existing laws to expand Good Samaritan protections for individuals seeking medical assistance during drug and alcohol-related overdoses. The bill provides limited immunity from arrest, charging, and prosecution for people who contact emergency services (including 911, campus security, or law enforcement) to get medical help for someone experiencing an overdose, provided they act in good faith, were the first to call for help, provide their name to authorities, and were not seeking assistance during an ongoing legal search. The immunity applies both to the person seeking help on behalf of someone else and to the overdose victim themselves. Additionally, the bill prevents violations of these immunized offenses from triggering probation revocations or new criminal charges for those on pretrial release, probation, parole, or post-release supervision. The law specifically covers minor drug possession offenses (less than one gram) and underage alcohol possession/consumption, and includes protections that prevent law enforcement from facing civil liability for good-faith arrests. The bill will become effective on October 1, 2025, and will apply to acts occurring on or after that date, with the goal of encouraging people to seek prompt medical assistance during potentially life-threatening overdose situations without fear of criminal prosecution.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S346