Senate Enrolled Act 227 Summary

• Expands commission duties to study crimes of sexual violence against children and the impact of social media, cellular phones, and digital technology on crimes against children; requires annual reports to legislative council, governor, and chief justice by July 1.

• Creates immunity from criminal prosecution for individuals arrested for alcohol-related offenses if they or someone acting with them requested emergency medical assistance for someone appearing to need help due to alcohol consumption, provided they cooperate with emergency personnel.

• Establishes deferred prosecution option for first-time offenders arrested for alcohol-related offenses when arrest was facilitated by a report of medical need; allows court to dismiss charges if defendant meets court-ordered conditions.

• Authorizes multiple emergency responders (paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, law enforcement officers) to administer overdose intervention drugs (naloxone and similar opioid antagonists) and provides civil immunity for administration according to established standards.

• Requires study before July 1, 2015 on underreporting of domestic and sexual violence crimes, including surveys of victims and community members, GIS mapping analysis, and recommendations for improving reporting and victim resources; study expires June 30, 2016.