Title: S.L. 2013-23
Subject: Session Law 2013-23
Category: Introduced Bill 2013

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2013

SESSION LAW 2013-23
SENATE BILL 20

AN ACT to Provide limited immunity from prosecution for (1) certain drug‑related offenses committed by an individual who seeks medical assistance for a person experiencing a drug‑related overdose and (2) certain drug‑related offenses committed by an individual experiencing a drug‑related overdose and in need of medical assistance; to provide immunity from civil or CRIMINAL LIABILITY FOR (1) PRACTITIONERS WHO PRESCRIBE AN OPIOID ANTAGONIST TO CERTAIN THIRD PARTIES AND (2) certain individuals who administer an opioid antagonist to a person experiencing a drug‑related overdose; AND TO PROVIDE LIMITED IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION FOR CERTAIN ALCOHOL-RELATED OFFENSES COMMITTED BY PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 21 WHO SEEK MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR ANOTHER PERSON.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 90‑96.2.  Drug‑related overdose treatment; limited immunity.
(a)	As used in this section, "drug‑related overdose" means an acute condition, including mania, hysteria, extreme physical illness, coma, or death resulting from the consumption or use of a controlled substance, or another substance with which a controlled substance was combined, and that a layperson would reasonably believe to be a drug overdose that requires medical assistance.
(b)	A person acting in good faith who seeks medical assistance for an individual experiencing a drug‑related overdose shall not be prosecuted for (i) a misdemeanor violation of G.S. 90‑95(a)(3), (ii) a felony violation of G.S. 90‑95(a)(3) for possession of less than one gram of cocaine, (iii) a felony violation of G.S. 90‑95(a)(3) for possession of less than one gram of heroin, or (iv) a violation of G.S. 90‑113.22 if the evidence for prosecution under those sections was obtained as a result of the person seeking medical assistance for the drug‑related overdose.
(c)	A person who experiences a drug‑related overdose and is in need of medical assistance shall not be prosecuted for (i) a misdemeanor violation of G.S. 90‑95(a)(3), (ii) a felony violation of G.S. 90‑95(a)(3) for possession of less than one gram of cocaine, (iii) a felony violation of G.S. 90‑95(a)(3) for possession of less than one gram of heroin, or (iv) a violation of G.S. 90‑113.22 if the evidence for prosecution under those sections was obtained as a result of the drug‑related overdose and need for medical assistance.
(d)	Nothing in this section shall be construed to bar the admissibility of any evidence obtained in connection with the investigation and prosecution of other crimes committed by a person who otherwise qualifies for limited immunity under this section."
SECTION 2.  Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 90‑106.2.  Treatment of overdose with opioid antagonist; immunity.
(a)	As used in this section, "opioid antagonist" means naloxone hydrochloride that is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of a drug overdose.
(b)	A practitioner acting in good faith and exercising reasonable care may directly or by standing order prescribe an opioid antagonist to (i) a person at risk of experiencing an opiate‑related overdose or (ii) a family member, friend, or other person in a position to assist a person at risk of experiencing an opiate‑related overdose. As an indicator of good faith, the practitioner, prior to prescribing an opioid under this subsection, may require receipt of a written communication that provides a factual basis for a reasonable conclusion as to either of the following:
(1)	The person seeking the opioid antagonist is at risk of experiencing an opiate‑related overdose.
(2)	The person other than the person who is at risk of experiencing an opiate‑related overdose, and who is seeking the opioid antagonist, is in relation to the person at risk of experiencing an opiate‑related overdose:
a.	A family member, friend, or other person. 
b.	In the position to assist a person at risk of experiencing an opiate‑related overdose.(c)	A person who receives an opioid antagonist that was prescribed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section may administer an opioid antagonist to another person if (i) the person has a good faith belief that the other person is experiencing a drug‑related overdose and (ii) the person exercises reasonable care in administering the drug to the other person. Evidence of the use of reasonable care in administering the drug shall include the receipt of basic instruction and information on how to administer the opioid antagonist.
(d)	All of the following individuals are immune from any civil or criminal liability for actions authorized by this section:
(1)	Any practitioner who prescribes an opioid antagonist pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
(2)	Any person who administers an opioid antagonist pursuant to subsection (c) of this section."
SECTION 3.  Chapter 18B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 18B-302.2. Medical treatment; limited immunity.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person under the age of 21 shall not be prosecuted for a violation of G.S. 18B-302 for the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages if law enforcement, including campus safety police, became aware of the possession or consumption of alcohol by the person solely because the person was seeking medical assistance for another individual. This section shall apply if, when seeking medical assistance on behalf of another, the person did all of the following:
(1)	Acted in good faith, upon a reasonable belief that he or she was the first to call for assistance.
(2)	Used his or her own name when contacting authorities.
(3)	Remained with the individual needing medical assistance until help arrived."

SECTION 4.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 4^th day of April, 2013.

	s/	 Daniel J. Forest
	 President of the Senate

	s/	 Thom Tillis
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

	s/	 Pat McCrory
	 Governor

Approved 4:39 p.m. this 9^th day of April, 2013

Page 	Session Law 2013-23	SL2013-23

SL2013-23	Session Law 2013-23	Page

*S20-v-7*