MO HB1516

Establishes section 195.205, called the "Missouri Good Samaritan Law," providing limited immunity from prosecution for drug possession charges.

Persons who seek or obtain emergency medical assistance for someone experiencing an overdose are not charged or prosecuted for controlled substance or imitation controlled substance possession if the amount recovered is below specified thresholds.

Persons experiencing an overdose are not charged or prosecuted for controlled substance or imitation controlled substance possession if emergency medical assistance was obtained and the amount is below specified thresholds.

Immunity thresholds include less than 3 grams for heroin, cocaine, morphine, and LSD; less than 40 grams for barbiturates, amphetamine, narcotic drugs in Schedule I or II, and imitation controlled substances; and less than 6 grams for pentazocine, methaqualone, PCP, and ketamine.

Immunity does not apply if law enforcement had reasonable suspicion or probable cause for detention or arrest based on information independent of the emergency medical assistance call, and sentencing courts must consider seeking emergency medical assistance as a mitigating factor.