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House advances small change to overdose-reporting law intended to encourage callers to seek help
Summary
The House passed an amendment to overdose-reporting (Good Samaritan-style) provisions aimed at encouraging people to call for help during an overdose by creating an affirmative defense for callers; sponsor cited prior state reforms and continuing overdose deaths.
Representative Carol Moss presented House Bill 362 on March 2 as a modest amendment to Utah's overdose-reporting framework designed to encourage bystanders to call for help when someone is overdosing. Moss described the original 2014 effort and said the bill is not an immunity law but provides an affirmative defense for people who call for help.
"When I started to go down this path ... the fear of police is paramount in the minds of drug users and we ought to be doing something to mitigate this fear," Moss said, recounting cases where fear of arrest may have prevented calls for emergency help. Moss said the state still averages about 11 overdose deaths a week and that targeted legal changes can save lives.
On the floor, the bill generated general support and no recorded opposition; the House voted to pass HB 362 with 68 yea votes, 0 nays. The bill will move to the Senate for further consideration.
Next steps: Transmittal to the Senate; floor remarks emphasized the bill's limited scope and its role in broader overdose-prevention efforts.
