ADMINISTERING OPIOID ANTAGONIST S.B. 857:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 857 (as introduced 3-11-14)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Good Samaritan law to excuse from civil liability a person who believed that another person was suffering from an opioid-related overdose and administered an opioid antagonist to that person.
Specifically, if an individual in good faith believed that another person was suffering the immediate effects of an opioid-related overdose and administered an opioid antagonist to that person, the individual would not be liable in a civil action for damages resulting from the administration of the opioid antagonist.
This liability protection would not apply if the conduct of the individual administering the opioid antagonist were willful and wanton misconduct.
The bill would define "opioid-related overdose" as a condition that results from the consumption or use of an opioid or another substance with which an opioid was combined or that a layperson would reasonably believe to be an opioid-related overdose that requires medical assistance. The conditions resulting from consumption or use of an opioid or other substance would include, but would not be limited to, extreme physical illness, decreased level of consciousness, respiratory depression, coma, or death.
"Opioid antagonist" would mean a drug that binds to opioid receptors and blocks or disinhibits the effects of opioids acting on those receptors. The term would include naloxone hydrochloride.
Proposed MCL 691.1503 Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.