| The Good Samaritan Act |
Senate Bill 601 went into effect January 1, 1978. This is specifically identified in the statutes as Section
1714.2, Chapter 595, California Civil Code. This is a Good Samaritan Law which protects the average
person on the street from being sued if he attempts to give emergency cardiac care. It specifically
exempts the non-professional person, who in good faith renders emergency cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) at the scene of an emergency from civil liability for any damages resulting from an
act or omission in rendering the emergency care; if that person has satisfactorily completed a basic
CPR course which complies with the standards adopted by the American Heart Association or by the
American Red Cross for CPR and emergency cardiac care.
The latest and most complete Good Samaritan Statute is Assembly Bill 1301 which became law in the
State of California on May 10, 1978. There are two sections of the statute which have a great
significance on the rendering of emergency medical care to others and they are identified as Sections
1766 & 1767, Article 4, Chapter 130, California Health and Safety Code.
Section 1766 reads: "In order to encourage local agencies and other organizations to train people in
emergency medical services, no local agency, entity of state or local emergency medical services, no
local private organization which sponsors, authorizes, supports, finances, or supervises the training of
people,In.In emergency medical services shall be liable for any civil damages alleged to result from
such training programs."
Section 1767 reads "In order to encourage people to participate in emergency medical services training
programs and to render emergency medical services to others, no person who in good faith renders
emergency care at the scene of an emergency shall be liable for any act or omission."
Thus, there is very clear-cut protection for the would-be rescuer. Now, he or she can give help with
complete peace of mind and concentrate on the help that is being given rather than having to worry
about whether the help should be given at all. The average person now has full immunity for helping
another person even if the person being helped is injured further or dies while being helped. The
rescue attempt is an act of mercy and has complete immunity from civil suit under the law.
1714.2, Chapter 595, California Civil Code. This is a Good Samaritan Law which protects the average
person on the street from being sued if he attempts to give emergency cardiac care. It specifically
exempts the non-professional person, who in good faith renders emergency cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) at the scene of an emergency from civil liability for any damages resulting from an
act or omission in rendering the emergency care; if that person has satisfactorily completed a basic
CPR course which complies with the standards adopted by the American Heart Association or by the
American Red Cross for CPR and emergency cardiac care.
The latest and most complete Good Samaritan Statute is Assembly Bill 1301 which became law in the
State of California on May 10, 1978. There are two sections of the statute which have a great
significance on the rendering of emergency medical care to others and they are identified as Sections
1766 & 1767, Article 4, Chapter 130, California Health and Safety Code.
Section 1766 reads: "In order to encourage local agencies and other organizations to train people in
emergency medical services, no local agency, entity of state or local emergency medical services, no
local private organization which sponsors, authorizes, supports, finances, or supervises the training of
people,In.In emergency medical services shall be liable for any civil damages alleged to result from
such training programs."
Section 1767 reads "In order to encourage people to participate in emergency medical services training
programs and to render emergency medical services to others, no person who in good faith renders
emergency care at the scene of an emergency shall be liable for any act or omission."
Thus, there is very clear-cut protection for the would-be rescuer. Now, he or she can give help with
complete peace of mind and concentrate on the help that is being given rather than having to worry
about whether the help should be given at all. The average person now has full immunity for helping
another person even if the person being helped is injured further or dies while being helped. The
rescue attempt is an act of mercy and has complete immunity from civil suit under the law.
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