The Good Samaritan Law in CT
In Connecticut, there are Good Samaritan Laws that are designed to protect and encourage all individuals—professionals and persons within the general community—to help others during an emergency. These laws offer certain protections to individuals involved in emergency situations.
Situations Where the Good Samaritan Law Applies:
There are different situations in which the Good Samaritan Law is important. Not all of the situations involve substance use.
- Providing emergency assistance
- Providing first aid
- Administering Epinephrine Cartridges (EpiPens)
- Prescribing or administering an opioid antagonist/naloxone (Narcan®)
- Seeking care for a drug overdose
- Rescuing a child or animal from a motor vehicle
The Good Samaritan Law does not protect individuals from existing charges or warrants unrelated to the emergent situation (i.e. an overdose). The protections offered by the law in CT also do not extend to acts or omissions that constitute gross, willful, or wanton negligence.
Prescribing or Administering Opioid Antagonists - Naloxone
In most situations, Connecticut law protects all individuals, if acting with reasonable care, to administer naloxone to someone if they believe, in good faith, that the person is experiencing an opioid-related overdose. The law typically gives civil and criminal immunity to such a person regarding the administration of the naloxone or opioid antagonist.
- 2011: A “Good Samaritan Law” was passed that protects people who call 911 for emergency medical services for an overdose situation from arrest for possession of drugs and/or paraphernalia. This protection is limited to the situation and does not protect someone from other charges or if there is a warrant out for their arrest. (Public Act 11-210)
- 2012: The Narcan law allows prescribers (physicians, surgeons, Physicians’ Assistants, APRNs, and dentists) to prescribe, dispense or administer naloxone to any individual to prevent or treat an overdose. The prescriber is protected from civil liability and criminal prosecution. (Public Act 12-159)
- 2014: The protection from civil liability and criminal prosecution was extended to the person administering naloxone in the case of an overdose. (Public Act 14-61)
- 2015: This legislation allows pharmacists who have been trained and certified to prescribe and dispense Narcan directly to customers requesting it. The pharmacist is required to educate the person on how to use the Narcan. (Public Act 15-198)
Source: CT Department of Public Health