Maine legislators push for Good Samaritan law expansion despite new hurdle - WGME

AUGUSTA (WGME)-- Maine's Good Samaritan law protects those who call 911 when someone is having an overdose.

Advocates say it doesn't go far enough, which is why they're supporting a bill to expand it.

They looked to drum up support for this expansion during a rally on Sunday.

Those with addiction, loved ones and advocates gathered at the Augusta Civic Center to honor Black Balloon Day, a national event to recognize those who died from overdoses-- including 636 Mainers last year.

Advocates argue the best way to keep people alive is by expanding the Good Samaritan law.

"We must create laws that protect our community and ensure that they can call 911," said Maine Recovery Advocacy Project Policy Director Courtney Allen.

LD1862 would expand protections for those who call 911 when someone is overdosing, so they couldn't be arrested or prosecuted for certain offenses. And it would also apply to others at the scene.

"The current law isn't working because it's confusing," said Maine State Senator Chloe Maxmin (D) Lincoln.

After hearing testimony and holding hearings, Senator Maxmin put together a new version of the bill.

Her amendment more clearly outlines who would be protected under it and what crimes could still be prosecuted.

But that bill now has a new hurdle after a Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety meeting on Friday.

"Politicians are choosing what's politically easy instead of actually listening to what's existentially necessary," Maxmin said.

Maxmin and other democratic lawmakers are calling out others, even in their own party, for backing a different version of the bill.

"They continue to focus on punishment. They continue to [be] focused on that the War on Drugs is going to somehow get us out of this issue," said State Rep. Charlotte Warren (D) Hallowell.

An amendment supported by the Mills administration and Department of Public Safety would only make the law applicable to those who call for help or render aid only.

During testimony for the original bill, the department said while well-intentioned, it is too broad and "will lead to unintended consequences".

"Now we have a real big battle on our hands in the senate," Maxmin said.

They're asking the community to contact their legislators to back Maxmin's version of the bill.

source: https://wgme.com/news/local/maine-legislators-push-for-good-samaritan-law-expansion-despite-new-hurdle

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