SEEK HELP Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4607
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-22: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The SEEK HELP Act (H.R. 4607) aims to encourage people to seek or provide emergency medical help during drug overdoses by offering legal protections against prosecution for drug possession and civil lawsuits for using overdose reversal drugs. It promotes public health responses to the opioid crisis while supporting awareness and training efforts.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: Clarifies terms like "controlled substance" (drugs regulated under federal law), "opioid overdose reversal drug" (e.g., naloxone, a medication to reverse opioid effects), and "seek medical assistance" (reporting an overdose to authorities, 911, poison control, or medical providers, or helping someone else do so).
- Civil Liability Protections (Section 3(a)): Individuals acting in good faith to administer an opioid overdose reversal drug during an emergency are immune from civil lawsuits for any harm caused, unless due to willful misconduct, gross negligence (extreme carelessness), recklessness, or deliberate disregard for safety. This applies in federal or state courts and overrides state laws only if the state lacks similar protections.
- Criminal Liability Protections (Section 3(b)): People who promptly seek medical help for themselves or others during a suspected drug overdose ("covered individuals") cannot be prosecuted, face asset forfeiture, or have supervised release revoked for simple possession of a controlled substance if the possession is discovered only because of the help-seeking. Exceptions include cases involving active arrests, warrants, or unrelated crimes; it does not limit evidence admissibility, seizures, or arrests for other offenses.
- Public Awareness and Training (Sections 3(c) and 3(d)): The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), must run a national campaign to educate the public on these protections. It also allows federal crime-fighting grants (JAG funds) to support law enforcement training on these rules.
- State Funding for Awareness (Section 4): States receiving federal public health block grants can use funds for campaigns, training (for justice professionals, healthcare providers, emergency services, and the public) on state "Good Samaritan" laws (protections for overdose help), and sharing data on overdose calls and law impacts.
- GAO Report (Section 5): Within two years of enactment, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) must report to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of Good Samaritan laws nationwide, including data on overdose reporting, fatalities, emergency visits, barriers to use, best practices, and recommendations for improvement. Federal and state agencies must cooperate with data access.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces federal baseline protections for overdose responses, preempting (overriding) state laws only where states lack equivalent immunities for reversal drug use or possession during help-seeking.
- Expands allowable uses of existing federal grants (JAG and public health block grants) to include overdose-specific education and data collection, without creating new funding streams.
- Mandates a GAO evaluation of state Good Samaritan laws, which could lead to future federal standardization or enhancements based on findings.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: May increase overdose reporting and survival rates by reducing fear of arrest, potentially lowering deaths and emergency department burdens; empowers bystanders and users to act without legal repercussions for minor possession.
- On Government Agencies: HHS and DEA gain responsibilities for awareness campaigns; law enforcement must incorporate training and respect protections during responses; states can leverage grants for local efforts, but may need to align laws or share data.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it supports U.S. public health goals in global opioid efforts by addressing domestic overdose crises tied to international drug trafficking.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals Experiencing or Witnessing Overdoses: Primary beneficiaries through legal shields for seeking help or using reversal drugs.
- Law Enforcement and Emergency Responders: Required to train on protections; may see shifts in how they handle overdose scenes without pursuing minor possession charges.
- Healthcare Providers and Poison Control Centers: Involved in training and data sharing; protected when assisting in emergencies.
- State and Local Governments: Can use federal funds for awareness but must implement or evaluate Good Samaritan laws; GAO report may influence policy.
- Federal Agencies (HHS, DEA, GAO): Lead campaigns, training support, and evaluation; ensures consistent national application.
- General Public and Communities: Targeted by awareness efforts to build trust in emergency systems, especially in high-overdose areas.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes "Good Samaritan" immunities as a federal floor, potentially reducing civil litigation over reversal drugs and limiting criminal prosecutions tied to overdose calls; preserves states' rights by only intervening where protections are absent, avoiding broad federal overreach.
- Constitutional: Aligns with public health priorities under the federal spending power (via grants) and commerce clause (regulating interstate drugs); no apparent conflicts with due process or equal protection, as protections apply uniformly to good-faith actors.
- Political: Bipartisan support (introduced by members from both parties) reflects consensus on opioid crisis response; emphasizes harm reduction over punishment, which could influence drug policy debates by prioritizing lives saved over enforcement for possession; GAO report may drive future legislation based on evidence of effectiveness.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-22: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-22: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-22: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-22: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Samaritan Efforts to Ensure Key Health Emergency and Life-saving Protections Act — issued 2025-07-22 — PDF (10 pages)