The majority of “Good Samaritan Laws” (GSL):
- Protect individuals with regard to the quantities of illicit drugs that classify use/possession, rather than trafficking/distribution;
- Do not protect from other infractions, such as previous convictions or if the individual calling currently has a warrant for their arrest;
- Solely protect individuals that call looking for help for themselves/others against use/possession cases under a certain amount of drugs;
- Require the individual calling/bystander to remain on scene for emergency personnel to arrive to be considered protected under their state’s GSL.
Oftentimes providing false information (such as a fake name) will disqualify protections under the GSL in many states. Corporate to the extent that the law requires you to and assist emergency personnel with the overdose situation and invoke your right to remain silent.
Select Your State
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
State Listings & Information
State: Alabama
Misdemeanor Infractions protected; 2015
Under state law, a person cannot be prosecuted for any misdemeanor drug-related offense or an underage alcohol offense if law enforcement learned of it only because that person was seeking help for someone else. To qualify for this immunity, the person who seeks emergency assistance must:
- Act “in good faith, upon a reasonable belief that he or she was the first to call for assistance.”
- Provide their real name when they call 911 or otherwise seek emergency assistance.
- Remain at the scene “until help arrives.”
Resources:
- The Merrell Law Firm, LLC – Understanding Alabama’s Good Samaritan drug charge immunity law
- ACT No. 2015-364
State: Alaska
Possession and use protected; 2014
Resources:
State: Arizona
Possession and use protected; 2023
Resources:
State: Arkansas
Resources:
State: California
Resources:
State: Colorado
Resources:
State: Connecticut
Resources:
State: Delaware
Resources:
State: Florida
Resources:
State: Georgia
Resources:
State: Hawaii
Resources:
State: Idaho
Resources:
State: Illinois
Resources:
State: Indiana
Resources:
State: Iowa
Resources:
State: Kansas
Resources:
State: Kentucky
Resources:
State: Louisiana
Resources:
Resources:
State: Maine
Resources:
State: Maryland
Resources:
State: Michigan
Resources:
State: Minnesota
General immunity from liability.
Resources:
State: Mississippi
Resources:
State: Missouri
Resources:
State: Montana
Resources:
State: Nebraska
Resources:
State: Nevada
Resources:
State: New Hampshire
Resources:
State: New Jersey
Resources:
State: New Mexico
Resources:
State: New York
Resources:
State: North Carolina
Resources:
State: North Dakota
Resources:
State: Ohio
Resources:
State: Oklahoma
Resources:
State: Oregon
- Possessing drugs or drug paraphernalia
- Being in a place where drugs are used
- Violating probation or parole because of drug use or possession
- Outstanding warrant because of drug use or possession
Resources:
State: Pennsylvania
- Individual must report incident to 9-1-1, law enforcement or an emergency official
- Individual must give authorities identifying information
- Individual must stay with the overdose patient until emergency assistance arrives
- The law does NOT grant immunity to those involved in the delivery or distribution of drugs
Resources:
State: Rhode Island
Resources:
Resources:
State: South Carolina
Resources:
State: South Dakota
Resources:
State: Tennessee
Resources:
State: Texas
- “…small amounts of controlled substances”
- Remained on scene for emergency personnel to arrive
- Fully cooperate with emergency personnel
- Must have been the first person to request for/call emergency personnel
Resources:
State: Utah
Resources:
State: Vermont
Resources:
Resources:
State: Virginia
Resources:
State: Washington
Resources:
State: West Virginia
- Individuals with in possession of a certain amount of drugs protected, NOT if they have used said drugs
- Must remain on scene for emergency personnel
- Must cooperate with emergency personnel
- A person who, in good faith and in a timely manner, seeks medical assistance for someone or for himself or herself who is experiencing an overdose may not be cited, arrested, or prosecuted for a violation of:
-
-
-
-
- (5) §60A-4-406
Resources:
State: Wisconsin
Resources:
State: Wyoming
Resources:
State: Washington D.C.
Resources: