Raimondo Signs Good Samaritan Act Into Law

Governor Gina Raimondo signed the Good Samaritan Act of 2016 into law on Wednesday at Anchor Recovery Community Center in Pawtucket.

The good Samaritan Act

The law reinstates and expands important legal protections for those who seek medical assistance for individuals experiencing a drug overdose.

"We deeply appreciate the swift passage of the Good Samaritan law and commend the General Assembly members and the many community advocates who contributed to advancing this legislation. This law is an essential component of the great work happening in Rhode Island to address substance use disorders and reduce overdose deaths, and we look forward to building on these efforts through the work of the Governor's Overdose Task Force," said Maria Montanaro, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Development Disabilities and Hospitals.

What This Bill Means

The good Samaritan Act provides immunity against arrest to any individual who calls for medical assistance when someone is experiencing an overdose. The Good Samaritan act was originally passed in 2012 with a three year sunset provision that expired last year.

"With the passage of this bill, no one has to think twice about making the 911 call. More importantly, it validates the important fact that every life is worth saving," said Jonathon Goyer, a recovery advocate.

Added representative Robert Craven, "Saving a life is much more important than a drug arrest. Ultimately, nothing should ever discourage someone from trying to provide assistance to someone who is dying."

Raimondo plans to work with the General Assembly to secure funding for overdose prevention, addiction treatment and recover support, and Medicaid funding to support and expand peer recovery coach programs.

"Drug overdose is a public health crisis that cuts across every community in Rhode Island. I applaud the General Assembly for passing these bills quickly. Their focus reflects my top priority on this issue: Save lives. By removing barriers to contacting emergency services during overdose situations, this law is an important part of our efforts to reduce opioid overdose deaths and help more people make it in Rhode Island," said Raimondo.

Raimondo also announced that the state will send over $40,000 in Google settlement funds to be used by the Rhode Island State Police and local police departments to purchase and distribute Naloxone in the communities hardest hit by drug overdose.

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