Maryland’s Good Samaritan Law

Maryland’s Good Samaritan Law, also referred to as the Good Sam Law, protects those who assist with an emergency alcohol or drug related overdose. 

The purpose of the law is to encourage any person, regardless of age, who sees a person (or people) having a medical emergency brought on by drugs and/or alcohol, to seek medical assistance by calling 911, without the fear of arrest or prosecution for:

• Possessing or using a controlled dangerous substance
• Possessing or using drug paraphernalia
• Providing alcohol to minors

Calling 911 will NOT affect your parole or probation status.

The Good Samaritan Law also protects the person (or people) experiencing the emergency medical overdose from the same.

The law does not protect persons witnessing the medical emergency if they’re not helping with the medical emergency.

The law will not protect against arrest for open warrants or other crimes not listed above.

To learn more, please see our Good Samaritan Law Fact Sheet:

• Good Samaritan Law Fact Sheet (English)
• Datos sobre la Ley del Buen Samaritano (Spanish Language Good Samaritan Law Fact Sheet)