Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act of 2015

1/11/2023, 1:28 PM

Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act of 2015

Amends the Public Health Service Act to shield a health care professional from liability under federal or state law for harm caused by any act or omission if: (1) the professional is serving as a volunteer in response to a disaster; and (2) the act or omission occurs during the period of the disaster, in the professional's capacity as a volunteer, and in a good faith belief that the individual being treated is in need of health care services.

Makes exceptions where: (1) the harm was caused by an act or omission constituting willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed; or (2) the professional rendered the health care services under the influence of alcohol or an intoxicating drug.

Congress
114

Number
HR - 865

Introduced on
2015-02-11

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

2/11/2015

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act of 2015

Amends the Public Health Service Act to shield a health care professional from liability under federal or state law for harm caused by any act or omission if: (1) the professional is serving as a volunteer in response to a disaster; and (2) the act or omission occurs during the period of the disaster, in the professional's capacity as a volunteer, and in a good faith belief that the individual being treated is in need of health care services.

Makes exceptions where: (1) the harm was caused by an act or omission constituting willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed; or (2) the professional rendered the health care services under the influence of alcohol or an intoxicating drug.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend the Public Health Service Act to limit the liability of health care professionals who volunteer to provide health care services in response to a disaster.

Policy Areas
Health

Potential Impact
Civil actions and liability•
Disaster relief and insurance•
Emergency medical services and trauma care•
Evidence and witnesses•
Federal preemption•
Health care quality•
Health personnel•
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary6/30/2015

Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act of 2015

Amends the Public Health Service Act to shield a health care professional from liability under federal or state law for harm caused by any act or omission if: (1) the professional is s...


Latest Action3/16/2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.