Most people want to help in an emergency. But fear gets in the way. Fear of being sued. Fear of getting arrested. Fear of doing something wrong. Arizona’s Good Samaritan laws exist to remove that fear.
This guide breaks down exactly what Arizona’s Good Samaritan laws protect you from and when they apply.
What Is a Good Samaritan Law?
A Good Samaritan law protects you when you help someone in an emergency. It shields you from being sued or prosecuted for trying to do the right thing. Pretty straightforward, right?
The idea is simple. If people fear legal trouble, they won’t help. These laws take away that fear. They encourage bystanders, everyday people, and medical professionals to step up and act.
Arizona actually has several Good Samaritan laws. Not just one. Each one covers a different type of situation. Knowing which one applies to you could matter a lot someday.
The Core Good Samaritan Law in Arizona
The main law is found in Arizona Revised Statutes Section 32-1471. This is the big one. It covers almost everyone.
Under this law, any person who gives emergency care at a public gathering or at the scene of an emergency is protected from civil liability. That means you can’t be sued for trying to help. The law covers doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, and also regular people with no medical training at all.
There are two big requirements to qualify. You must act in “good faith,” meaning you genuinely intend to help. And you must provide your help “gratuitously,” which means without getting paid for it.
Wondering what could still get you in trouble? Gross negligence. That’s when your actions go way beyond a simple mistake. Think reckless, careless behavior that shows no regard for the person’s safety. Simple accidents while trying to help? Covered. Reckless disregard? Not covered.
Who Is Protected Under Arizona’s General Good Samaritan Law?
Okay, this part is important. The list of people protected under Arizona’s Good Samaritan laws is broader than most people realize.
Doctors and nurses acting off-duty are covered. Licensed ambulance attendants and drivers are covered. Everyday bystanders with zero medical training are covered too. A friend who pulls someone from a burning car? Covered. A stranger who jumps in to perform CPR? Also covered.
Medical professionals who give emergency instructions to first responders by phone are protected as well. That’s covered under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 36-2206. So even talking someone through a situation remotely can be protected.
Most people assume only doctors get this protection. They find out the hard way that’s not true. Don’t be one of them.
The AED Good Samaritan Law
Here’s where it gets more specific. Arizona has a separate law just for people who use automated external defibrillators, also called AEDs. These are the electric shock devices you see in airports, gyms, and shopping malls.
Arizona Revised Statutes Section 36-2263 protects anyone who uses an AED to help someone in a life-threatening emergency. You must act in good faith and without receiving payment. If you do, you’re shielded from civil liability.
This is huge. AEDs can restart a stopped heart. But many bystanders won’t touch one because they’re scared of legal consequences. This law removes that barrier. If you see an AED on the wall and someone collapses nearby, you can grab it and use it without fear.
The protection also covers the nonprofit organizations and businesses that place AEDs in public spaces. They face no civil liability either. That’s why you see more AEDs in more places every year.
The Overdose Good Samaritan Law
Now, here’s where things get serious. Arizona also has a Good Samaritan law specifically for drug overdoses.
It’s found in Arizona Revised Statutes Section 13-3423. Originally passed in 2018 as part of Arizona’s response to the opioid crisis, it was extended in 2023 through HB 2168. The protection currently runs through at least 2028.
Under this law, if you call 911 or contact emergency services for someone having a drug-related overdose, you’re protected. You cannot be charged or prosecuted for drug possession, drug use, or having drug paraphernalia. The person experiencing the overdose is also protected.
You’re not alone if you didn’t know about this one. Most people don’t realize how broad these protections actually are.
The law covers calling 911, contacting law enforcement, reaching poison control, or calling a hospital emergency department. Any of those methods count as seeking medical assistance.
I looked this up carefully before writing this. What stood out to me is how many overdose deaths happen because someone nearby is too scared to call for help. This law exists to change that. Personally, I think it’s one of the most important laws on this list.
What the Overdose Law Does NOT Cover
Wait, this part is important. The overdose Good Samaritan law has real limits. You need to understand them.
The law only protects you from drug possession and drug use charges. That’s it. It is not a general get-out-of-jail-free card for everything else.
If you were driving under the influence before the overdose situation, you can still face DUI charges. If you caused harm to another person, that’s still prosecutable. If there were other crimes happening that had nothing to do with drug use, those can still lead to arrest and prosecution.
Police can also still seize drugs or other contraband found at the scene. Calling 911 doesn’t make drugs disappear legally. It only protects you from being prosecuted for simple possession or use.
The bottom line: call for help anyway. The protection for the most important thing, the drug charge, is real and significant.
The Hot Car Good Samaritan Law
Arizona gets dangerously hot. Every summer, children and pets are left in cars. It can turn deadly in minutes.
In 2017, Governor Doug Ducey signed House Bill 2494. This law protects you if you break into a car to rescue a child or domestic animal in immediate danger. You face no civil liability if you had a good faith belief that the child or pet was in danger.
Think of it like this. If you see a toddler trapped in a hot car and smash the window to save them, Arizona law has your back. You won’t get sued for the broken window.
The key is that you must believe the situation is an emergency. You should also make a reasonable effort to contact law enforcement first if possible. And you should stay with the child or pet until help arrives.
Epinephrine and Naloxone Protections
Arizona also protects people who use two specific life-saving medications in emergencies.
First, epinephrine. This is the medicine in EpiPens. It treats severe allergic reactions called anaphylaxis. Under Arizona law, a person who administers epinephrine in good faith during an emergency is protected from civil liability. Unless they act with willful misconduct, they’re legally safe.
Second, naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan. This drug reverses opioid overdoses. Under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 36-2267, anyone who administers naloxone in a good faith effort to help someone overdosing is protected from civil liability.
Sound complicated? It’s actually not. The core message is simple: if you’re trying to save someone’s life with one of these drugs and you’re not being paid to do it, Arizona law protects you.
Food Donation Protections
Here’s one most people never think about. Good Samaritan protections extend to food donations too.
Under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 36-916, people who donate food in good faith are protected from civil liability. The food must appear to be wholesome when donated. This applies to groceries, harvested food, and even non-food products like cleaning supplies or diapers.
If someone gets sick from donated food and you acted in good faith, you’re not liable. The exception is if you intentionally donated bad food or acted with gross negligence.
What Happens If You DON’T Help?
Here’s something interesting. Arizona generally does not require you to help in an emergency. You cannot be criminally penalized for walking past someone who needs help. Arizona is not one of the states with a “duty to act” law.
However, there’s a catch for medical professionals. A doctor who sees someone in clear need and has the training to help could potentially face civil liability for failing to act. That standard is higher for trained professionals.
For everyday people with no medical training, there’s no legal obligation to jump in. But now that you know the law protects you, you might just feel more willing to try.
How to Help Someone the Right Way
Here’s what you need to do when an emergency happens around you.
Stay calm. That’s the first step. Panic makes everything worse. Take a breath and assess the situation.
Call 911 first. Get emergency services on the way before you do anything else. This is especially important for the overdose protections to apply. The law requires that you actually contact emergency services.
Do what you can. If you know CPR and someone’s heart stops, do it. If there’s an AED nearby, grab it. If someone is overdosing and you have naloxone, use it. If a child is in a hot car, act fast.
Stay at the scene. Leaving before help arrives could complicate your legal protections in some situations. Stick around, cooperate with emergency responders, and be honest about what happened.
Don’t ask for or accept payment. All of Arizona’s Good Samaritan protections require that you help without pay. The moment money enters the picture, the protection can disappear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Arizona require me to help in an emergency?
No, Arizona does not have a law requiring bystanders to help. However, the Good Samaritan laws protect you if you choose to help.
Can I be sued if I accidentally injure someone while helping them?
Not typically. Arizona’s Good Samaritan law protects you from civil lawsuits as long as you acted in good faith and without gross negligence.
Does the overdose Good Samaritan law protect me if I have drugs on me when I call 911?
Yes. You cannot be charged for drug possession or use if the evidence was found because you called for help during an overdose. But other unrelated crimes are not protected.
Does Arizona’s Good Samaritan law cover me if I’m off duty as a nurse or doctor?
Yes. Medical professionals are covered whether they are on duty or off duty when they help in an emergency.
Is the overdose Good Samaritan law permanent in Arizona?
Not permanently. The current law was extended through 2028 by HB 2168 passed in 2023. The legislature would need to act again to extend it further.
Can police still arrest me even if I call 911 for an overdose?
Police can still arrest you for crimes unrelated to drug possession or use. They can also seize drugs found at the scene. But you cannot be prosecuted specifically for possession or use charges tied to that overdose.
What if I use an AED and the person doesn’t survive?
You are still protected. Arizona’s Good Samaritan law covers the outcome of your actions, not just the actions themselves, as long as you acted in good faith.
Final Thoughts
Arizona’s Good Samaritan laws are designed with one goal in mind: to get people help faster. These laws exist because lawmakers understand that fear is often the biggest barrier to saving a life.
You now know the basics. If someone collapses near you, use the AED. If your friend is overdosing, call 911. If a child is trapped in a hot car, break that window. Arizona law has your back.
When in doubt, call for help anyway and sort out the legal details later. A few seconds of hesitation can cost someone their life. You’re not alone in feeling unsure about this. Most people do. But now you know more than most.
Stay informed, stay ready, and if you ever face a situation where the law gets complicated, reach out to a licensed Arizona attorney who can help you understand exactly where you stand.
References
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 32-1471 – Emergency Care; Nonliability
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 36-2263 – Civil Liability; Limited Immunity; Good Samaritan
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-3423 – Medical Assistance Requests; Prohibited Prosecution of Good Samaritans
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 36-2267 – Administration of Opioid Antagonist; Exemption from Civil Liability
- Arizona Governor’s Office – HB 2494 Hot Car Good Samaritan Law Signing
- DopaGE – Good Samaritan Laws by State 2026
- LegalClarity – Arizona Good Samaritan Laws: Protections and Limitations
