Good Samaritan (H 7869, S 2883A as amended)

While undermining the medical marijuana program, the General Assembly failed to make productive changes in the state’s “War on Drugs” by expanding the state’s Good Samaritan Act. Currently, the law protects from prosecution for certain drug-related offenses any person who calls for help in the case of a drug overdose. In May, the Senate passed legislation further expanding the law to protect those who call for help during a drug overdose from prosecution for certain possession or delivery offenses, including protection from probation violations. In April, the ACLU testified before the House Judiciary committee on companion legislation stating that this legislation will save the lives of drug users, and furthers a common-sense recognition of drug use as a public health issue, eliminating the concern that people who call for help to save lives may find themselves in jail as a result. Unfortunately, the House Judiciary committee failed to vote on the legislation and it died.