A new bill filed by State Sen. Dana Jones seeks to provide legal protections for individuals who seek or assist in obtaining medical help during overdoses, according to the North Carolina State Senate.
The bill, filed as SB 346 on March 19 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Good Samaritan Law/Immunity.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill aims to provide limited immunity for individuals seeking medical assistance during drug- and alcohol-related overdoses, effective Oct. 1, 2025. It establishes that anyone who in good faith seeks or assists in seeking help for an overdose will not be arrested, charged, or prosecuted for specified offenses if certain conditions are met, such as being the first to call 911 and not being subject to or executing a legal warrant. This immunity extends to the overdose victim as well. These protections apply to minor alcohol possession charges and individuals on probation or parole. Additionally, law enforcement officers acting in good faith who arrest or charge someone later found to be immune are protected from civil liability. The bill does not prevent evidence collection for other crimes or limit normal legal processes.
Of the three sponsors of this bill, Benton G. Sawrey proposed the most bills (22) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Jones graduated from High Point University in 1993 with a BA.
Jones, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2025 to represent the state’s 31st Senate district, replacing previous state senator Joyce Krawiec.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dana Jones, Benton G. Sawrey, and Michael A. Lazzara | SB 346 | 03/19/2025 | Good Samaritan Law/Immunity. |
| Dana Jones, Benton G. Sawrey, and Michael A. Lazzara | SB 328 | 03/18/2025 | Underground Safety Revisions. |
| Dana Jones, Bobby Hanig, and Ralph Hise | SB 302 | 03/17/2025 | The Sergeant Mickey Hutchens Act. |
| Dana Jones, Danny Earl Britt, Jr., and David W. Craven, Jr. | SB 312 | 03/17/2025 | The Stars and Stripes Commitment Act. |
| Dana Jones and Paul A. Lowe, Jr. | SB 241 | 03/05/2025 | Funds for Smith Reynolds Airport MRO Hangar. |
| Dana Jones and Bobby Hanig | SB 162 | 02/25/2025 | Shared Parenting. |
| Dana Jones, Kevin Corbin, and Michael V. Lee | SB 125 | 02/21/2025 | Various Education Changes. |
| Dana Jones, Michael V. Lee, and Paul Newton | SB 101 | 02/13/2025 | Protect Tax-Advantaged Accts. & Living Donors. |
| Dana Jones, Amy S. Galey, and Brent Jackson | SB 59 | 02/05/2025 | Revise Voluntary Ag. District Laws. |
| Dana Jones, Bob Brinson, and Jim Burgin | SB 31 | 01/30/2025 | The Wells Act. |
| Dana Jones and Amy S. Galey | SB 39 | 01/30/2025 | GSC Add Member from High Point Law School. |
| Dana Jones | SB 6 | 01/29/2025 | 31st Senatorial District Local Act-1. |
