HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering changes to state law that would expand legal protections for people who call for help during medical emergencies, particularly on college campuses.
What This Means for You
- Proposed legislation would protect people from certain criminal charges if they call 911 to help someone in medical distress.
- The proposal aims to clarify Pennsylvania’s existing “medical amnesty” law, which shields people from some legal consequences when seeking emergency help.
- Supporters say the change is intended to encourage students and others to act quickly during emergencies such as overdoses or alcohol poisoning.
The House Majority Policy Committee held a hearing Wednesday in Harrisburg to examine legislation that would strengthen protections for “Good Samaritans” — individuals who assist someone during an emergency.
The hearing followed an incident last year at Bloomsburg University in which a student who sought help for an incapacitated classmate was later charged by police.
Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, who co-hosted the hearing, said the goal of the legislation is to ensure people do not hesitate to seek medical help.
“In an emergency, the difference between life and death can come down to whether someone is willing to stop and render aid,” Kinkead said. “No one, especially a young person faced with a frightening situation, should hesitate to help because they’re worried about getting in trouble.”
Student Testimony Highlights Case
During the hearing, Rowan Price testified about the events that occurred during his freshman year at Bloomsburg University.
Price said he discovered a fellow student suffering from alcohol poisoning in a dormitory bathroom after returning from a conference.
He told lawmakers that he and other students helped the individual by placing the student on their side and calling for medical assistance.
Price said police later criticized the students’ actions and that weeks afterward he was charged with Recklessly Endangering Another Person — a charge that can carry a potential prison sentence of up to two years.
“Students stepping forward, doing the right thing, should not fear punishment, arrest, financial ruin, or the loss of future employment,” Price told the committee. “If these bills had existed last year, my life might not have been derailed.”
What the Proposed Bills Would Change
The legislation, introduced by Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester, and Kinkead, would update Pennsylvania’s medical amnesty laws.
Medical amnesty laws provide immunity from certain charges when someone calls for emergency medical help for another person.
Under the proposal, individuals could not be charged with reckless endangerment if they call 911, remain at the scene until emergency responders arrive, and cooperate with first responders.
Friel said the legislation is intended to prevent situations where individuals who attempt to help someone in distress face criminal consequences.
“We teach our children to look out for others and help people in need,” Friel said. “People shouldn’t be deterred from stepping up and doing the right thing.”
Advocates Say Law Needs Clarification
Sara Jacobsen, executive director of the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania, also testified during the hearing.
She said the proposed changes would clarify ambiguities in current law and provide stronger assurances that people who seek help will not face criminal charges.
Jacobsen said the change could increase the likelihood that people call 911 quickly in emergencies involving overdoses or alcohol poisoning.
House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, said the proposal is designed to remove hesitation during life-threatening situations.
“When someone sees another person in danger from an overdose or alcohol poisoning, the only thing that should matter is getting them help as quickly as possible,” Bizzarro said.
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