The General Assembly has approved legislation extending immunity protections to individuals who seek medical assistance for themselves or others in the event of a suspected alcohol overdose.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The General Assembly has approved legislation extending immunity protections to individuals who seek medical assistance for themselves or others in the event of a suspected alcohol overdose.
House Bill 995, sponsored by State Rep. Iris Rudder, R-Winchester, expands the Good Samaritan Law to provide the same protections for alcohol overdoses as it does for drug overdoses. Currently, the law protects anyone who seeks medical care for themselves or others believed to be experiencing a drug overdose from limited criminal or civil penalties related to the overdose.
“By removing fear of prosecution, I hope this legislation will especially encourage young Tennesseans to call emergency services and potentially save someone’s life,” Rudder said. “Unfortunately, many of us know someone whose family has been tragically impacted by alcohol overdose. It is an honor to carry this important bill on behalf of those families.”
Currently, the Good Samaritan Law protects anyone who seeks medical assistance for themselves or a person believed to be experiencing a drug overdose from limited criminal or civil penalties related to the overdose.
This bill extends immunity protections for alcohol-related misdemeanors like public intoxication, and those involving individuals under the age of 21, such as providing or purchasing alcohol for minors and selling alcohol or beer to minors.
House Bill 995 specifies that immunity does not apply to anyone licensed by the Tennessee Alcohol Beverage Commission (ABC), such as bar owners, bartenders or servers, if they violate the law while at work.
An estimated 2,200 people in the United States die every year from alcohol overdose, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.
The bill was brought to Rudder by a University of Tennessee alumna who lost her 18-year-old brother after an alcohol overdose at a party. His friends were afraid they would get in trouble if they called for help since they were underage drinking.
According to a 2020 report, Tennessee joins 43 other states in the nation who have similar alcohol immunity laws in place.
House Bill 995 will now head to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for his signature. Once signed, it will take effect on July 1.
Iris Rudder represents District 39 which includes Franklin and Marion Counties.
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