H 1592
An Act relative to the expansion of the Good Samaritan Law
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Bill overview
This bill expands the existing Good Samaritan Law in Massachusetts to protect individuals who provide assistance to someone in need while traveling in a private vehicle. Currently, drivers could face liability for assisting someone, but this law aims to remove that potential liability, encouraging people to offer help when it’s needed. It clarifies that drivers are not responsible for injuries sustained by a person they assist while providing care in a vehicle.
Key provisions
- Protects drivers who render care and assistance to individuals in need while traveling in a private vehicle.
- Removes potential liability for drivers providing assistance.
- Applies to situations where assistance is provided voluntarily.
- Covers individuals who are injured as a result of receiving assistance.
- Addresses liability related to providing care and assistance in a vehicle.
- Expands the scope of the existing Good Samaritan Law.
- Clarifies the protections afforded to drivers offering assistance.
Who is affected
- Drivers
- Passengers
- Individuals in need of assistance
- Healthcare providers
- The general public
Notable changes
- Broadens the Good Samaritan Law to include situations involving vehicle travel.
- Specifically addresses liability concerns for drivers offering assistance.
- Provides a legal shield for individuals offering help while in transit.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Jr. Donald R. Berthiaume
Cosponsors
Jr. Donald R. Berthiaume
Kelly W. Pease
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Bill H.1592 194th (Current)
An Act relative to the expansion of the Good Samaritan Law
By Representative Berthiaume of Spencer, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1592) of Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr., relative to liability of persons in transit in private vehicles rendering care and assistance to persons in need. The Judiciary.
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Presenter: Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr.
Tabs
Bill History Petitioners Committee Vote Committee Summary Hearing Attendance
Bill History
Displaying 8 actions for Bill H.1592
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 2/27/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on The Judiciary |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 7/16/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 07/29/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2 |
| 7/29/2025 | Joint | Hearing rescheduled to 07/29/2025 from 01:00 PM-06:00 PM in A-2 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time |
| 7/29/2025 | Joint | Hearing rescheduled to 07/29/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:10 PM in A-2 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time |
| 10/20/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 07/29/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:10 PM in A-2 |
| House | Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order | |
| 3/26/2026 | House | Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27) |
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