New: Senate Passes Good Samaritan Bill
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
The Massachusetts Senate took a moment to pause from their budget deliberations on Wednesday to unanimously pass the “Good Samaritan Bill” to ensure off-duty first responders who provide emergency care are not subject to lawsuits for helping those in need, Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury) announced.
“As the Senate Vice-Chairman on the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security and as a former law enforcement officer, I am proud to support the “Good Samaritan Bill,” stated Senator Moore.
“As we witnessed during the recent bombings at the Boston Marathon, public safety personnel, quickly and without hesitation, spring into action to help those in danger, whether on duty at the time or not. We must continue to support those who without hesitation, run toward chaos and confusion to help others, by eliminating fear that their bravery could be subjected to legal action.”
“The Good Samaritan Laws do not currently apply to off-duty first responders whose professional responsibilities include providing emergency medical care,” Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said.
“On Marathon Monday, many off-duty firefighters and emergency medical technicians came to the immediate aid of the hundreds of people impacted by the blasts and, as good Samaritans; they should be provided with the same legal protections.”
Lead sponsor of the bill, Senator Jim Timilty (D-Walpole) said, “Just a few weeks ago we were all reminded that there are a select few among us who run towards the blasts looking to help. We are very proud as a Commonwealth to do everything we can to help protect and honor our men and women in uniform but currently there is very little protection for their brave and instinctual actions when they are in their daily lives and out of uniform. This legislation not only seeks to protect those who risked their lives to help on Marathon Monday, but the everyday occurrences of an accident on the side of the road or a child injured on the ball field. We should do everything in our power to ensure that those with the adequate training to help do not hesitate out of fear of a lawsuit.”
This bill will now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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