HB2347 • 2026

reasonable assistance; emergencies; Good Samaritans

HB2347 - reasonable assistance; emergencies; Good Samaritans

Children Crime Healthcare

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Stephanie Simacek, Anna Abeytia, Cesar Aguilar, Seth Blattman, Junelle Cavero, Patty Contreras, Brian Garcia, Nancy Gutierrez, Sarah Liguori, Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, Betty J Villegas, Kevin Volk
Last action: 2026-01-20
Official status: House second read
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text does not specify an effective date; it is currently marked as passed by the legislature but final executive action status is unknown.

HB2347: Good Samaritan Rules for Drug Overdoses

This bill requires people at the scene of a known drug overdose to give reasonable assistance if safe, and protects those who seek medical help from certain drug charges.

What This Bill Does

Requires a person at the scene of a known drug-related overdose to give reasonable assistance without putting themselves or others in danger.
Makes it a petty offense for someone who fails to provide this required assistance when they can do so safely.
Stops prosecutors from charging people with possession, use, or paraphernalia crimes if evidence was found because the person called 911 during an emergency.
Allows judges to consider calling for medical help as a reason to reduce punishment in other drug-related criminal cases.
Defines 'reasonable assistance' and 'seeks medical assistance' to include contacting law enforcement, poison control, or hospitals.

Who It Names or Affects

People who witness another person having a drug-related overdose
Individuals experiencing a drug-related overdose who need help

Terms To Know

Reasonable assistance: Getting or trying to get help from law enforcement or medical personnel.
Medical assistance: Care given by a licensed, registered, or certified health professional who provides diagnosis, treatment, or other services within their job scope.
Petty offense: A minor crime that carries lighter penalties than more serious offenses.

Limits and Unknowns

This law does not stop police from seizing illegal items or making arrests for crimes other than simple possession, use, or paraphernalia.
The protection against charges only applies if the evidence was found because someone called for help during an overdose emergency.

Bill History

2026-01-20 House
House second read
2026-01-15 House
House Rules: None
2026-01-15 House
House Judiciary: None
2026-01-15 House
House first read

Official Summary Text

HB2347 - reasonable assistance; emergencies; Good Samaritans

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB2347 - 572R - I Ver

REFERENCE TITLE:
reasonable assistance; emergencies; Good Samaritans

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HB 2347

Introduced by

Representatives
Simacek: Abeytia, Aguilar, Blattman, Cavero, Contreras P, Garcia, Gutierrez,
Liguori, Stahl Hamilton, Villegas, Volk

AN
ACT

AMENDING SECTION 13-3423, ARIZONA
REVISED STATUTES; RELATING TO DRUG OFFENSES.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 13-3423, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE
13-3423.

Good Samaritans; emergency assistance; medical assistance
requests; prohibited prosecution; mitigating factor; classification;
definitions

A. A person who is at the scene of an
emergency and who knows that another person is experiencing a drug-related
overdose, to the extent that the person can do so without danger or peril to
self or others, shall give reasonable assistance to the drug-exposed
person. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a petty
offense.

A.

B.
A
person who, in good faith, seeks medical assistance for someone
experiencing a drug-related overdose may not be charged or prosecuted for the
possession or use of a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia or a
preparatory offense if the evidence for the violation was gained as a result of
the person's seeking medical assistance.

B.
c.
A
person who experiences a drug-related overdose, who is in need of medical
assistance and for whom medical assistance is sought pursuant to subsection
A
B
of this section may not be
charged or prosecuted for the possession or use of a controlled substance or
drug paraphernalia if the evidence for the violation was gained as a result of
the person's overdose and need for medical assistance.

C.

D.
The
act of seeking medical assistance for someone who is experiencing a
drug-related overdose may be used as a mitigating factor in a criminal
prosecution for a violation of this chapter.

D.

E.
This
section does not limit either:

1. The admissibility of any evidence in connection
with the investigation or prosecution of a crime with regard to a defendant who
does not qualify under subsection
A or
B
or
C
of this section or with regard to any other crime.

2. The ability to seize contraband or make an arrest
for any other offense.

E.
F.
This
section does not prohibit a person specified in subsection
A or

B
or C
of this section from being offered a diversion
program for an offense other than the possession or use of a controlled
substance or drug paraphernalia or a preparatory offense.

F.

G.
For
the purposes of this section:

1. "Medical assistance" means aid provided
by a health care professional who is licensed, registered or certified in this
state, who is acting within the health care professional's scope of practice
and who provides a diagnosis, treatment or other medical service.

2. "Reasonable assistance"
includes obtaining or attempting to obtain aid from law enforcement or medical
personnel.

2.

3.
"Seeks
medical assistance" means to call 911 or otherwise contact law
enforcement, poison control or a hospital emergency department.
END_STATUTE