TITLE 21
Food And Drugs
CHAPTER 21-28.8
The Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Act
SECTION 21-28.8-4
§ 21-28.8-4 Emergency overdose care
Immunity from legal repercussions.
(a) Any person who, in good faith, without malice and in the absence of
evidence of an intent to defraud seeks medical assistance for someone
experiencing a drug overdose or other drug-related medical emergency shall not
be charged or prosecuted for any crime under RIGL 21-28 or 21-28.5, except for
a crime involving the manufacture or possession with the intent to manufacture
a controlled substance or possession with intent to deliver a controlled
substance, if the evidence for the charge was gained as a result of the seeking
of medical assistance.
(b) A person who experiences a drug overdose or other
drug-related medical emergency and is in need of medical assistance shall not
be charged or prosecuted for any crime under RIGL 21-28 or 21-28.5, except for
a crime involving the manufacture or possession with the intent to manufacture
a controlled substance or possession with intent to deliver a controlled
substance, if the evidence for the charge was gained as a result of the
overdose and the need for medical assistance.
(c) The act of providing first aid or other medical
assistance to someone who is experiencing a drug overdose or other drug-related
medical emergency may be used as a mitigating factor in a criminal prosecution
pursuant to the controlled substances act.
History of Section.
(P.L. 2012, ch. 251, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 263, § 1.)
