Contact:
Krysta West
Communications Director
Senate Republican Office
(207) 287-1505
krysta.west@legislature.maine.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUSTA – On Monday, February 6, Senator Scott Cyrway (R-Kennebec) presented his bill to hold drug dealers responsible for certain overdoses to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee during a public hearing.
LD 92, which reads “An Act To Require a Person Who Provides Illegal Drugs To Give Medical Aid to Another Person in Medical Distress Due to That Illegal Drug Transaction,” would make it a Class C crime if a drug dealer fails to provide first aid assistance and immediately call 911 in the event of a drug overdose occurring in their presence caused by a drug they sold. While the legislation would waive civil liability for damages or death caused as a result of rendering that first aid, unless done in a grossly negligent manner; the bill does not waive criminal liability for the sale of the drug.
“Many drug overdoses will have a tragic ending, but that does not have to be the case every time,” said Sen. Cyrway. “I believe if the person who provided the illegal substance is still present, he/she should have responsibility to try to provide medical attention and to immediately call for additional assistance from a first responder.”
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