Senate Bill 427

Expanded Good Samaritan Law

Effective Date: 2/28/16

Previously, under the Good Samaritan Law (Public Act 17 of 1963) in the State of Michigan, certain health professionals were not liable for civil damages as a result of acts or omissions in rendering care, except acts or omissions amounting to gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct, when providing care without compensation under certain circumstances, primarily during emergencies.  Specifically this law exempted liability to physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.  Oddly absent were any level of EMS Licensure.

Effective February 28^th 2016, SB 427 amends provisions with the State of Michigan Good Samaritan Law to add licensed EMS providers to the list of health professionals protected from lawsuits when providing uncompensated care at scenes of emergencies, when rendering care to someone who requires care as the result of engaging in a competitive sport and when responding to an emergency within a hospital or other medical facility when the person’s hospital duty does not require a response.

The bill defines “licensed EMS provider” as an individual who is a medical first responder, emergency medical technician, emergency medical technician specialist, or paramedic as defined in the current Michigan Public Health Code.