Bill Text: HI SB398 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 398 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Women's Legislative Caucus Package; Good Samaritan Policies; Medical Amnesty; Controlled Substances

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-21 - Re-Referred to CPH/PSM, JDL. [SB398 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-SB398-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	398
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to health.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Good Samaritan policies, also known as medical amnesty, are life-saving measures that are in the best interest of the public's health, safety, and welfare. These policies facilitate responsible decision-making by shielding individuals from punishment when they seek medical attention during an emergency involving alcohol and controlled substances. The threat of criminal punishment may cause people to hesitate from taking necessary action in emergency situations. Worrying about legal consequences can delay the arrival of critically needed medical assistance. Even a short delay can mean the difference between life and death.

The legislature further finds that drug overdoses more than doubled nationwide between 2000 and 2006. Nationally and in Hawaii, more people die from drug overdoses than car accidents. Drug overdoses have increased greatly in Hawaii, becoming the leading cause of injury-related mortality during the period from 2007 to 2012, as described by death certificates. The number of fatal drug poisonings in Hawaii has increased from eighty-three deaths in 1999 to one hundred eighty-three in 2011, with non-fatal poisonings increasing to a high of 4,714 in 2011.

A report from Trust for America's Health, entitled "Prescription Drug Abuse: Strategies to Stop the Epidemic," identified ten best practices for states to implement to curb prescription drug abuse. Hawaii follows six of these promising strategies and the adoption of Good Samaritan legislation would bring the number to seven. These policies are already in place at more than two hundred forty colleges and universities across the United States and have been enacted as state law in twenty states, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, New York, Utah, and Washington.

The legislature further finds that, if criminal punishment is intended to deter drug abuse, it clearly is too late to deter abuse when a person is already suffering from an overdose. Good Samaritan policies should not be perceived as a "get out of jail free card" or a reward for illegal drug use. Rather, they enable individuals to make potentially life-saving decisions promptly and without hesitation.

The purpose of this Act is to provide limited immunity from liquor, controlled substance, and drug paraphernalia possession charges when a person calls for medical assistance during an alcohol- or drug-related overdose emergency.

SECTION 2. Chapter 329, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§329- Overdose prevention; limited immunity. (a) A person shall not be charged, subject to civil forfeiture, or otherwise prosecuted for possession of a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia under this chapter, chapter 281, or sections 712-1241(a), 712-1242(a) and (b), 712-1243, 712-1244(a) and (b), 712-1245(a) and (b), 712-1246, 712-1246.5, 712-1247(a), (b), (e), and (g), and 712-1248(a) to (c), or be charged with violating a restraining order or the terms and conditions of probation or parole if:

(1) The person was a witness to a drug-related overdose;

(2) The person reasonably believed that the drug-related overdose would result in imminent threat to the health or life of the drug-related overdose victim;

(3) The person summoned medical assistance at the time of witnessing the event; and

(4) Evidence of the specific violation was gained solely as a result of the person's seeking medical assistance.

(b) A person shall not be charged, subject to civil forfeiture, or otherwise prosecuted for possession of a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia under this chapter, chapter 281, or sections 712-1241(a), 712-1242(a) and (b), 712-1243, 712-1244(a) and (b), 712-1245(a) and (b), 712-1246, 712-1246.5, 712-1247(a), (b), (e), and (g), and 712-1248(a) to (c), or be charged with violating a restraining order or the terms and conditions of probation or parole if:

(1) The person experiences a drug-related overdose and is in need of medical assistance; and

(2) Evidence of the specific violation was gained solely as a result of the person seeking medical assistance.

(c) The act of seeking medical assistance for an individual who is experiencing a drug-related overdose shall be considered by a court as a mitigating factor in any prosecution that is related to a controlled substance or alcohol and for which immunity is not provided by this section.

(d) As used in this section:

"Drug-related overdose" means an acute medical condition that:

(1) Is the result of the ingestion or use by an individual of alcohol, one or more controlled substances, or one or more controlled substances in combination with alcohol in quantities that are excessive for that individual; and

(2) May result in immediate death, disability, or serious injury.

"Drug-related overdose" includes a condition that a reasonable person would believe to be a drug-related overdose that may result in immediate death, disability, or serious injury.

"Summoned medical assistance" includes, but is not limited to, reporting a drug-related overdose to emergency medical or law enforcement personnel, a poison control center, or medical services provider or assisting another individual who is reporting a drug-related overdose while awaiting the arrival of medical assistance."

SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Women's Legislative Caucus Package; Good Samaritan Policies; Medical Amnesty; Controlled Substances

Description:

Establishes limited immunity for individuals who seek medical assistance for victims of overdoses of drugs or alcohol.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.