DOVER, Del. (AP) - The state Senate has unanimously approved a bill encouraging people to report alcohol and drug overdoses without fear of being prosecuted.
The so-called Good Samaritan bill received unanimous approval in the Senate on Tuesday and now goes to the House.
Under the bill, a person reporting on overdose would be immune from prosecution for certain drug crimes even if he or she has been involved in drug-related activity.
Senators approved the bill only after exempting higher level drug felonies from its immunity protections, a change that critics said seriously weakens the bill and will discourage reporting.
Drug crimes that would be immune from prosecution include illegal possession and delivery of noncontrolled prescription drugs, possession of controlled substances or counterfeit controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.
