HI SR87

Department of Health and John A. Burns School of Medicine are requested to study states with Good Samaritan laws and their impact on decreasing drug overdose deaths.

Report must outline policies in other states and the effect of Good Samaritan policies on drug overdoses and deaths, submitted to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the 2014 Regular Session convening.

Recognizes that Good Samaritan laws shield individuals from criminal punishment when seeking medical attention during drug overdose emergencies, removing barriers to calling 911.

Notes that Hawaii had 183 drug overdose deaths in 2011, making fatal drug overdose the leading cause of injury-related deaths in the state that year.

Ten states have already enacted Good Samaritan laws including California, Colorado, Florida, New York, and Washington; over ninety college campuses have similar protective policies.