HB16 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Civil Procedure, certain caregiver volunteers immune from civil action, Sec. 6-5-332 am'd.

Summary

HB16 would extend civil immunity under Alabama's Good Samaritan law to unpaid volunteers who provide temporary care for a disabled or chronically ill person, when directed by the primary caregiver and acting in good faith.

What This Bill Does

It amends the Good Samaritan provision to shield unpaid volunteers who provide temporary care under the primary home caregiver for a person with a disability or chronic illness, as long as they act in good faith, do not charge for services, and act as a reasonably prudent person would. The bill also lays out a broad set of immunity provisions for various emergency-care scenarios, including first aid by certain professionals, AED/CPR-related activities, and other rescue or emergency-response situations, with some limits (e.g., immunity not for gross negligence and some exclusions). It becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval (or when it becomes law by other means).

Who It Affects

• Unpaid volunteers who provide temporary, home-based care to a person with a disability or chronic illness, who would receive civil-immunity protection if they act in good faith and without charging for services.
• People with disabilities or chronic illnesses and their families or primary caregivers, who may experience reduced liability concerns for those providing informal or emergency care (and for professionals acting in good faith in emergencies).

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 6-5-332 to grant civil immunity to unpaid volunteers who provide temporary care under the direction of the primary home caregiver for a person with a disability or chronic illness, when care is performed in good faith, without charging for goods or services, and the volunteer acts as a reasonably prudent person under the circumstances.
• Adds broad immunity for first aid or emergency care provided at the scene by certain professionals (doctors, nurses, EMS, police, fire, etc.) in good faith, including protection for acts or omissions and for failure to arrange further treatment.
• Provides immunity for helicopter crew members involved in emergency medical service operations from liability for property damage caused by downwash or disembarking passengers.
• Protects physicians who gratuitously advise on-scene medical actions via direct voice contact, so long as actions stay within established medical procedures.
• Immunity for mine rescue planning and recovery personnel acting in good faith, while clarifying it does not exempt overall mine-rescue operators from liability.
• Extends immunity related to AED placement, CPR training, and site coordination to involved physicians and those providing training or managing sites, but excludes designers or sellers of AEDs from immunity for claims against them.
• Immunity for licensed engineers, architects, surveyors, contractors, and subcontractors working under supervision in emergency-response activities for acts or omissions without compensation within 90 days after an emergency declaration, with standard prudent-person protections and limits.
• Immunity for volunteers who render emergency care at the scene without charging and for acts or omissions in arranging further treatment, when acting as a reasonably prudent person.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval (or as otherwise made law).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Civil Procedure