Goodlatte Statement at Markup of the “Good Samaritan Assessment Act”

Chairman Goodlatte: H.R. 5048, the “Good Samaritan Assessment Act of 2016,” was introduced by our colleague Congressman Frank Guinta from New Hampshire.  I thank Mr. Guinta, co-chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, for his ongoing efforts on this critical issue. H.R. 5048 directs the Government Accountability Office to study the various “Good Samaritan” laws in effect in states across the country. Generally speaking, every state has some form of Good Samaritan law, which protects from prosecution citizens who render aid in good faith to someone in need of assistance.  However, in the context of opioids, “Good Samaritan law” refers to laws that provide immunity for responding to an opioid overdose, by rendering aid or by calling 911. Today, more than half the states and the District of Columbia have enacted some form of Good Samaritan law that provides immunity or limits liability for those who report or treat an opioid overdose.  These laws vary widely in application.  For example, in my home state of Virginia, the General Assembly passed a Good Samaritan law in 2015.  Among other things, that law provides immunity for individuals who contact emergency services to report an overdose.  However, Virginia’s law is more narrowly tailored than other states’ laws.  For example, the caller must remain at the scene of the overdose until a law-enforcement officer responds.  They must cooperate with a criminal investigation “reasonably related to the drug or alcohol that resulted in the overdose.”  And they must identify themselves when law enforcement responds. Given the recent proliferation of these laws at the state level, and Congress’s desire and duty to address the opioid epidemic, it is fitting that we assess how the various Good Samaritan laws work to protect our citizens and help save lives.  H.R. 5048 will direct GAO to help us get the information we need. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. For more on today’s markup, click here. ###