Why do we need a Good Samaritan law?

Drug overdoses continue to be a serious public health challenge in Maryland. The number of opioid-related deaths increased by 20% between 2019 and 2020, and preliminary data indicates a continued increase in 2021.

In 2015, Maryland enacted a “Good Samaritan” law to encourage people to call for help when someone is facing a medical emergency due to drugs or alcohol. This is a life-saving measure, with a State-sponsored public education campaign whose message is “Don’t run – call 911.”

But people will not call 911 if they believe they will be arrested because of their involvement. And despite this law, there are instances where police and prosecutors pursue charges for minor offenses not covered under the law. This undermines any of the benefits of the law.

House Bill 190 will build on our existing law to do two things:

Clarify that the victim of the overdose or medical emergency is provided the same immunity from arrest, charge and prosecution as the person calling for help; and

Expand the offenses that people are immune from to include:

1. All misdemeanor offenses

2. Possession with intent to distribute (not volume or king pin dealing).

What is Maryland’s current Good Samaritan law?

Maryland’s law currently provides protection from arrest and prosecution for certain specific crimes and expands the charges from which people assisting in an emergency overdose situation are immune. If someone calls 911 in an effort to help during an overdose crisis, or they are experiencing an overdose, their parole and probation status will not affected, and they will now not be arrested, charged, or prosecuted for:

• Possession of a controlled dangerous substance

• Possession or use of drug paraphernalia

• Providing alcohol to minors

This law covers any kind of overdose, whether it is related to opioids or alcohol or other drugs.

Please sign this petition of support to strengthen Maryland's Good Samaritan Law!