Most people freeze in an emergency. They panic. They worry about getting in trouble. So instead of calling for help, they do nothing.
That hesitation can cost a life. Maryland knows this. That’s why the state has Good Samaritan laws designed to protect you when you step up and help. Let’s break down exactly what these laws cover and what they mean for you.
What Is a Good Samaritan Law?
A Good Samaritan law protects people who help others in an emergency. It shields you from certain legal consequences when you do the right thing.
Maryland actually has two versions of this law. One covers civil liability. That means protection from lawsuits. The other covers criminal immunity. That means protection from arrest when you call 911 during a drug or alcohol emergency. Both matter. Both can protect you.
Maryland’s Civil Good Samaritan Law
What It Covers
Okay, this one’s important. Imagine you see a car crash. You stop and try to help. Later, the injured person sues you because something went wrong. That feels deeply unfair, right?
Maryland’s civil Good Samaritan law is here for exactly that situation. It’s found in Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Code, Section 5-603. It says you cannot be sued for helping someone in an emergency, as long as you act in a reasonable way. You don’t have to be a doctor. You don’t have to do it perfectly.
You’re not alone if this surprises you. Most people have no idea this protection even exists.
Who It Protects
The law covers regular people like you and me. It also covers first responders, EMTs, firefighters, and even ski patrol members. Pretty much anyone who shows up and tries to help is covered.
There are a few conditions you need to meet. You have to help in a reasonably safe and careful way. You cannot charge money or expect any payment. And when a certified first responder arrives, you need to hand things over to them.
Sound complicated? It’s actually not. Just help, be careful, don’t ask for money, and step aside when professionals arrive.
What It Does NOT Cover
Here’s where things get serious. The civil law does not protect you if you are grossly negligent. Gross negligence means doing something recklessly dangerous, not just making a small mistake.
For example, if you tried to move someone with a serious spinal injury without any care at all, that could cross the line. The law gives you a lot of room. But it is not a free pass to act carelessly.
Maryland’s Criminal Good Samaritan Law
The Big Picture
Now, here’s where things get really important. This part of the law is called the Good Sam Law. It is found in Maryland Criminal Law, Section 1-210.
The whole point of this law is simple. Maryland wants you to call 911 when someone is overdosing. Period. The state would rather you make that call than let someone die because you were scared of getting arrested.
Personally, I think this law makes a lot of sense. Saving a life matters more than a minor drug charge.
Who It Protects
The Good Sam Law protects anyone who calls for help during a drug or alcohol medical emergency. It also protects the person who is actually having the emergency. Both of you get covered.
It applies to anyone who seeks, provides, or assists with getting medical help. So if three people are present and all three help in some way, all three can be protected. That’s a big deal.
The Six Misdemeanors It Covers
Hold on, this part is important. The law protects you from arrest or prosecution for six specific misdemeanors. These are all related to drugs or alcohol.
The six covered offenses include possessing or using a controlled dangerous substance and possessing or using drug paraphernalia. The law also covers providing alcohol to a minor, underage possession of alcohol, and related alcohol offenses.
Here’s the key detail. The evidence of these crimes must have been found only because you called for help. If police show up to help with an overdose and see drugs in plain sight, that evidence cannot be used against you for these six offenses. Pretty straightforward.
Probation and Parole Protection
You’re not alone if this is your main concern. Many people on parole or probation are terrified to call 911. They think calling will automatically violate their release conditions.
That fear is understandable. But the Good Sam Law addresses it directly. Calling 911 during a drug or alcohol emergency will not affect your parole or probation status. The evidence found cannot be used against you for a violation, as long as it was only found because you made that call.
This protection exists so that people in the justice system still feel safe enough to save a life.
What the Law Does NOT Cover
Okay, pause. Read this carefully. The Good Sam Law has real limits. You need to know them.
The law does not protect you from open warrants. If police show up and you have an outstanding warrant, you can still be arrested. The law does not cover drug felonies. Selling or distributing drugs is not protected. The law also does not apply to federal charges or immigration enforcement. It is a state law only.
University regulations are also not covered. So if you are a student on campus, calling 911 might still trigger school conduct rules. Check your school’s medical amnesty policy separately.
Most importantly, the law does not protect bystanders who just stand there and watch. You have to actually help or seek help. Just witnessing the emergency and doing nothing does not earn you protection.
The Civil Law vs. The Criminal Law
Confused about the difference? Let me break it down.
Think of the civil law like a shield against lawsuits. You helped someone at a car accident. They sue you later. The civil law protects you. Think of the criminal law like a shield against arrest. Someone overdoses near you. You call 911. The criminal law protects you from being charged for the drugs police find.
One covers civil court. One covers criminal court. Both are important. Both apply in different situations.
How to Use These Protections
Here’s what you need to do. If you witness a drug or alcohol emergency, call 911 right away. Stay on the line. Tell them what happened and what substances were involved if you know. Stay with the person until help arrives.
You do not need to be an expert. You do not need to know CPR perfectly. Just make the call. That single action is what the law protects.
If you are helping at any other kind of emergency, like a car crash or a medical situation, the civil law covers you. Help as best you can. Be careful. Don’t charge anyone. Step back when professionals arrive.
Naloxone and the Good Sam Law
Wait, it gets better. Maryland also encourages people to carry naloxone. Naloxone, sometimes called Narcan, is a medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose. It is available without a prescription at many pharmacies in Maryland.
Using naloxone on someone is also protected under the Good Sam Law framework. You will not face criminal charges for trying to save someone’s life with it. Honestly, this is the part most people miss. Carrying naloxone is one of the most powerful things a regular person can do.
Recent Updates and Proposed Changes
The law has been around since 2014 for the criminal immunity side. Maryland has updated it over time to make it stronger.
As of early 2026, lawmakers have proposed expanding the law further. The proposed expansion would add immunity for distribution offenses and non-drug misdemeanors discovered during the call for help. That bill has not yet passed. It would still need to be signed by the governor. For now, the current protections apply.
Stay informed. Laws can change. What is true today may shift in future sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Good Sam Law protect me if I have drugs on me when I call 911? Yes, for six specific misdemeanor drug offenses, as long as the evidence was only discovered because you called for help.
What if I am on probation? Will calling 911 violate my terms? No. Calling 911 during a drug or alcohol overdose emergency will not be used as grounds for a probation or parole violation under the Good Sam Law.
Does the law apply if someone overdoses on alcohol, not drugs? Yes. The Good Sam Law covers both drug and alcohol medical emergencies.
What if I just watched but didn’t help? Am I still protected? No. The law only protects people who actively seek, provide, or assist with medical help. Bystanders who do nothing are not covered.
Does the law protect me from federal charges? No. The Good Sam Law is a state law only. It does not apply to federal laws or immigration enforcement.
Can I use the Good Sam Law if there is an open warrant for my arrest? No. Open warrants are not covered. Police can still act on an existing warrant even if you called 911 for help.
Does helping at a car accident protect me from being sued? Yes. Maryland’s civil Good Samaritan law protects you from lawsuits if you help in a reasonable way, for free, during an emergency.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the basics. Maryland’s Good Samaritan laws exist for one reason: to remove the fear that stops people from saving lives.
If you ever find yourself in an emergency, don’t overthink it. Make the call. Help the person. The law has your back for the situations it covers. And when you’re not sure, always err on the side of doing something rather than nothing.
Stay informed, stay safe, and when in doubt, call 911 first and ask questions later.
References
- Maryland Good Samaritan Law (Criminal) – MD Dept. of Health
- Stop Overdose Maryland – Good Samaritan Law Overview
- Maryland Criminal Law Article § 1-210 – Annapolis City Resource
- Maryland Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 5-603 – Civil Good Samaritan Statute
- Prince George’s County – Good Samaritan Law Facts
- HC DrugFree – Good Samaritan Law Summary
