AB 472, California’s 9-1-1 Good Samaritan Law, implemented January 1, 2013, added Section 11376.5 to the California Health and Safety Code and provides, in part:
That it shall not be a crime for: (1) a person to be under the influence of, or to possess for personal use, a controlled substance, controlled analog, or drug paraphernalia; or (2) a person who experiences a drug related overdose and who is in need of medical attention to be under the influence of, or to possess for personal use, a controlled substance, controlled substance analog, or drug paraphernalia IF that person under the influence, the person experiencing the overdose, or one or more other persons at the scene of the overdose, in good faith, seek medical assistance for the person experiencing the overdose and do not obstruct medical or law enforcement personnel.
Notwithstanding, such a person MAY be arrested for: selling, providing, giving, or exchanging drugs; the forcible administration of drugs against a person’s will; and/or driving under the influence.
(Health and Safety Code § 11376.5.)
AB 635, Relating to Drug Overdose Treatment, implemented January 1, 2014, amended Section 1714.22 of the California Civil Code and provides, in part:
Notwithstanding any other law, a person who possesses or distributes an opioid antagonist [like naloxone or naltrexone] pursuant to a prescription or standing order shall not be subject to professional review, be liable in a civil action, or be subject to criminal prosecution for this possession or distribution. Notwithstanding any other law, a person not otherwise licensed to administer an opioid antagonist, but trained as required under Civil Code section 1714.22(d)(1), who acts with reasonable care in administering an opioid antagonist, in good faith and not for compensation, to a person who is experiencing or is suspected of experiencing an overdose shall not be subject to professional review, be liable in a civil action, or be subject to criminal prosecution for this administration. (Civil Code § 1714.22(f).)