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Panel votes to extend one-time overdose immunity to callers who seek help
Summary
HB 1183 would allow someone other than the person overdosing to claim the statute’s one-time immunity for possession/ingestion when they or another person summons emergency assistance; proponents said it closes a gap that discouraged calls and could save lives.
Representative Healy (sponsoring HB 1183 presented by Representative Hubert) described the bill as a technical but life‑saving fix to South Dakota’s Good Samaritan law: it would extend the one‑time immunity now available only to the person who calls for emergency help to also cover a third party who seeks assistance on behalf of an overdose victim.
Supporters — including mayors, medical associations, EMS groups and family members — described cases where bystanders failed to call for help out of fear of prosecution, or where the overdose victim was physically unable to call. “The hope here is really straightforward. It’s to save more lives,” the sponsor said.
The committee voted unanimously to recommend HB 1183 to the floor. Proponents stressed the change is limited: immunity remains a one‑time protection and does not shield unrelated criminal activity.
