Understanding Maryland’s Good Samaritan Law
Monday, May 11, 2026
In an overdose emergency, fear can sometimes stop people from calling for help.
Concerns about legal consequences, police involvement, or what may happen afterward can cause delays during moments when immediate medical attention matters most. Maryland’s Good Samaritan Law was created to help reduce that fear and encourage people to call 911 during an overdose emergency.
The law exists to support life-saving action.
What Is Maryland’s Good Samaritan Law?
Maryland’s Good Samaritan Law provides certain legal protections for individuals who seek emergency medical assistance during an overdose situation.
The law may protect:
– The person experiencing the overdose
– The person who calls 911 for help
– Individuals assisting during the emergency
Under the law, certain protections may apply to:
– Possessing or using a controlled dangerous substance
– Possessing or using drug paraphernalia
– Providing alcohol to minors
Calling 911 during an overdose emergency will also not impact an individual’s parole or probation status.
The purpose of the law is to help save lives by encouraging people to seek emergency medical care quickly.
Why This Law Matters
Overdoses can happen in any community, family, or social setting. In many situations, the difference between life and death is how quickly someone receives medical attention.
When individuals are afraid to call for help, valuable time can be lost.
Education around overdose response, harm reduction, and community resources can help reduce stigma and empower people to respond more confidently during emergencies. Laws like Maryland’s Good Samaritan Law are designed to support safer, faster responses when someone’s life may be at risk.
Important Limitations to Understand
While the Good Samaritan Law provides important protections, it also has limitations.
The law does not:
– Protect individuals who are not actively helping during the emergency
– Apply to open warrants
– Apply to immigration-related matters
– Apply to university or workplace policies
– Apply to drug felonies or crimes outside the protections specifically listed in the law
– Prevent law enforcement from conducting investigations or collecting evidence
Understanding both the protections and limitations of the law can help individuals make informed decisions during emergency situations.
New Educational Video & Resources Available
The Maryland Department of Health recently released a new educational video to help increase awareness and understanding of Maryland’s Good Samaritan Law.
The video explains:
– What the law covers
– Who it protects
– Its limitations
– Why calling 911 quickly matters during an overdose emergency
Additional resources, including fact sheets in English and Spanish, are also available through the Maryland Department of Health.
Community members can also access educational materials related to:
– Naloxone and overdose response
– Fentanyl awareness
– Harm reduction
– 988 and crisis support services
– Substance use stigma reduction
We encourage individuals, families, providers, and community partners to explore and share these resources to help support overdose prevention education across Maryland communities.
At Maryland Wellness, we believe education, compassion, and access to support can make a meaningful difference. Increasing awareness around overdose response and harm reduction helps create safer, more informed communities where people feel supported in seeking help when they need it most.
Additional crisis support services and community assistance resources are also available through the Maryland Wellness’ Resources page.