Committee approves Good Samaritan expansion to cover layperson response to mental health crises

The Labor, Health & Social Services Committee on Feb. 14 voted to pass Senate File 130, expanding Good Samaritan protections to include emergency assistance during mental health crises. The committee recorded eight votes in favor and one excused.

Senator Rothfuss, the bill sponsor, said the measure simply adds mental-health related language to existing Good Samaritan law so citizens trained in mental-health first aid and peer-support programs are explicitly protected when they attempt to help someone experiencing suicidal ideation or another acute mental health crisis. "This is a short, sweet bill," Senator Rothfuss told the committee, noting the amendments are conforming language to the existing statute.

Lindsay Semino, representing the Wyoming Behavioral Health Alliance, testified…