Senate Bill 543 Summary

• Creates the Joshua Ashley-Pauley Act in Arkansas Code Title 20, Chapter 13, Subchapter 16 to provide immunity for individuals seeking medical assistance during drug overdoses

• Grants immunity from arrest, charges, or prosecution for controlled substance possession under § 5-64-419 when evidence results solely from seeking medical assistance for another person experiencing overdose or for oneself

• Protects individuals from penalties for violating protective orders, restraining orders, or conditions of pretrial release, probation, or parole related to controlled substance possession if those violations result from seeking medical assistance

• Does not limit evidence admissibility for other crimes, seizure of evidence, law enforcement detention authority, or prosecution of persons who do not meet the act's requirements

• Enacted in response to rising drug overdose deaths, with 120 deaths per day occurring nationally and similar legislation credited with saving at least 20 lives in North Carolina