Protecting Good Samaritans

Policy Committee    March 11, 2026

HARRISBURG, March 11 – Following an incident at Bloomsburg University last year in which a student was charged by police after finding an incapacitated student and calling for help, the House Majority Policy Committee met in Harrisburg Wednesday to discuss legislation that will focus on bolstering legal protection for good Samaritans. Reps. Paul Friel (D-Chester) and Emily Kinkead (D-Allegheny), who co-hosted Wednesday’s hearing, have introduced bills to update the state’s two medical amnesty laws, which gives individuals immunity from being charged with certain offenses if they seek medical attention for another person. 

• Hosts: Rep. Paul Friel (D-Chester), Rep. Emily Kinkead (D-Allegheny)
• Testifiers:
  • Rowan Price- Sophomore, Shippensburg University
  • Sara Jacobson- Executive Director, Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania

Agenda + Testimony

• Hearing agenda and testimony: Protecting Good Samaritans

Media Release + News Coverage

• Good Samaritan protections in Pennsylvania need to be improved, testifiers say, March 11, 2026
• MyChesCo, Pa. Lawmakers Consider Stronger Good Samaritan Protections, March 12, 2026

Video + Photos

• Click here to view the entire hearing
• Click here to view photos of the hearing