House Bill 313

AN ACT TO PROVIDE CERTAIN IMMUNITY FOR PERSONS WHEN ASSISTANCE IS REQUESTED FOR A MEDICAL EMERGENCY CAUSED DUE TO CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 41-29-149.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH IS THE MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL EMERGENCY GOOD SAMARITAN ACT, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) A peace officer shall not take a person into custody based solely on the commission of an offense involving alcohol described in subsection (2) of this section if the peace officer, after making a reasonable determination and considering the facts and surrounding circumstances, reasonably believes that all of the following apply:

(a) The peace officer has contact with the person because the person acting in good faith requested emergency medical assistance for an individual who reasonably appeared to be in need of medical assistance due to alcohol consumption and the person did not illegally provide alcohol to the individual.

(b) The person:

(i) Provided his full name and any other relevant information requested by the peace officer;

(ii) Remained at the scene with the individual who reasonably appeared to be in need of medical assistance due to alcohol consumption until emergency medical assistance arrived; and

(iii) Cooperated with emergency medical assistance personnel and peace officers at the scene.

(2) A person who meets the criteria of subsection (1) of this section shall be immune from criminal prosecution for any offense related solely to the possession and consumption of alcohol.

(3) A person shall not initiate or maintain an action against a peace officer or the employing state agency or political subdivision based on the officer's compliance or failure to comply with this section.

SECTION 2. Section 41-29-149.1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

41-29-149.1. (1) This section shall be known as the "Mississippi Medical Emergency Good Samaritan Act."

(2) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed:

(a) "Drug overdose" means an acute condition, including, but not limited to, extreme physical illness, decreased level of consciousness, respiratory depression, coma, mania, or death, resulting from the consumption or use of a controlled substance or dangerous drug in violation of this chapter or that a layperson would reasonably believe to be resulting from the consumption or use of a controlled substance or dangerous drug for which medical assistance is required.

(b) "Drug violation" means:

(i) A violation of Section 41-29-139 for possession of a controlled substance if the aggregate weight, including any mixture, is less than four (4) grams of a solid substance, less than twenty (20) dosage units, less than one (1) milliliter of liquid substance, or, if the substance is placed onto a secondary medium, has a combined weight of less than four (4) grams;

(ii) A violation of Section 41-29-139 for possession of thirty (30) grams or less of marijuana or ten (10) grams or less of synthetic cannabinoids; or

(iii) A violation of Section 41-29-139(d)(2) relating to possession and use of paraphernalia.

(c) "Medical assistance" means aid provided to a person experiencing or believed to be experiencing a drug overdose by a health care professional who is licensed, registered, or certified under the laws of this state and who, acting within the lawful scope of practice, may provide diagnosis, treatment, or emergency services relative to the overdose.

(d) "Seeks medical assistance" means accesses or assists in accessing the E-911 system or otherwise contacts or assists in contacting law enforcement or a poison control center or provides care to a person experiencing or believed to be experiencing a drug overdose while awaiting the arrival of medical assistance to aid the person.

(3) (a) Any person who in good faith seeks medical assistance for someone who is experiencing a drug overdose shall not be arrested, charged, or prosecuted for a drug violation if there is evidence that the person is under the influence of a controlled substance or in possession of a controlled substance as referenced in subsection (2)(b) of this section.

(b) Any person who is experiencing a drug overdose and, in good faith, seeks medical assistance or is the subject of a request for medical assistance shall not be arrested, charged, or prosecuted for a drug violation if there is evidence that the person is under the influence of a controlled substance or in possession of a controlled substance as referenced in subsection (2)(b) of this section.

(i) Penalties for a violation of a permanent or temporary protective order or restraining order;

(ii) Sanctions for a violation of a condition of pretrial release, condition of probation, or condition of parole based on a drug violation; or

(iii) Forfeiture of property pursuant to Section 41-29-153 or 41-29-176 for a drug violation, except that prima facie contraband shall be subject to forfeiture.

(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed:

(a) To limit the admissibility of any evidence in connection with the investigation or prosecution of a crime with regard to a defendant who does not qualify for the protections of subsection (3) of this section or with regard to other crimes committed by a person who otherwise qualifies for protection pursuant to subsection (3) of this section;

(b) To limit any seizure of evidence or contraband otherwise permitted by law; and

(c) To limit or abridge the authority of a law enforcement officer to detain or take into custody a person in the course of an investigation or to effectuate an arrest for any offense except as provided in subsection (3) of this section.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017.