SB324 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul Bussman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Good Samaritan Law, licensed social worker, counselor, psychologist granted civil immunity for rendering aid in an emergency, Act 2011-579, 2011 Reg. Sess., am'd; Sec. 6-5-332 am'd

Summary

SB324 would extend civil immunity under Alabama's Good Samaritan Law to certain licensed mental health professionals who provide emergency services at the scene without pay.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends the Good Samaritan Law to include licensed psychologists, licensed professional counselors, and licensed social workers who render emergency mental health treatment at the scene without compensation or who participate in emergency response activities. These professionals would be immune from civil damages for their acts or omissions in providing emergency mental health care or in failing to provide or arrange further care, as long as they act in good faith and as a reasonably prudent person would under the same circumstances. The immunity applies in addition to existing protections for other emergency responders, and the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Licensed psychologists, licensed professional counselors, and licensed social workers who provide emergency mental health treatment at the scene without compensation or who participate in emergency response activities.
• People at the scene who receive emergency mental health treatment from these professionals, as the providers would have civil immunity for actions taken in good faith during the emergency.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 6-5-332 to include licensed psychologists, licensed professional counselors, and licensed social workers under Good Samaritan immunity when they render services without compensation or participate in emergency response activities.
• Specifically provides immunity for emergency mental health treatment given at the scene, and for acts or omissions in providing or arranging further mental health care, so long as the actions are taken in good faith and in a reasonably prudent manner.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Civil Procedure