SEEK HELP Act
Introduced July 22, 2025 · Last action July 22, 2025
Plain English Summary
This bill creates federal protections so people who call for emergency help during a drug overdose cannot be prosecuted for drug possession based solely on that call, and it protects people who administer overdose-reversal drugs like naloxone from civil lawsuits. It also requires states to fund public awareness campaigns about these protections and directs the GAO to study how well these laws work.
Who benefits
People who use drugs and their family members or friends who administer overdose-reversal drugs or call for help—the bill removes the fear of prosecution that may otherwise deter emergency calls. Emergency medical services providers and law enforcement agencies benefit from clarity on legal protections when responding to overdoses. States and localities receive federal grant flexibility to fund awareness campaigns. Harm reduction advocates and public health organizations that promote Good Samaritan laws as overdose prevention tools.
Who pays / loses
Law enforcement agencies may experience reduced ability to prosecute drug possession charges in overdose contexts, though the bill only shields those who called for medical help and did not have outstanding warrants. Police departments will need to train officers on the new federal standard. The bill does not impose direct financial costs on individuals, but prosecutors and law enforcement face statutory restrictions on their enforcement options.
Funding & Lobbying Interests
The bill is cosponsored by members across the opioid crisis response spectrum: Rep. Neguse (D-CO), Rep. Miller (R-WV), Rep. Dean (D-PA), Rep. Bacon (R-NE), Rep. Levin (D-MI), and Rep. Tenney (R-NY). The bill does not create new federal appropriations but reallocates existing Public Health Service Act grants and Byrne JAG law enforcement grants to states for awareness and training. Harm reduction organizations, overdose prevention nonprofits (such as those advocating naloxone distribution), and public health groups have lobbied for expansive Good Samaritan protections nationally. Pharmaceutical companies that manufacture opioid reversal drugs (primarily naloxone manufacturers) benefit indirectly from increased legal clarity and broader public uptake of these medications.
Political Impact
Affected Groups
People who use drugs and their families in all states, with disproportionate impact in communities experiencing the opioid epidemic (rural Appalachia, urban centers with high overdose mortality). Law enforcement officers who enforce drug possession statutes in all U.S. jurisdictions. Emergency medical services providers and poison control centers. States and localities that administer Public Health Service Act grants (all 50 states and U.S. territories) and Byrne JAG grants (most jurisdictions).
Political Subtext
Proponents frame this as a lifesaving measure: Good Samaritan laws reduce overdose deaths by removing the fear of arrest that deters people from calling 911. They cite public health research showing that states with strong Good Samaritan protections have higher rates of naloxone use and emergency calls during overdoses. The bill has bipartisan support rooted in the opioid crisis, which has affected both rural Republican and urban Democratic constituencies. Critics from law enforcement have historically argued that broad immunity can obstruct drug investigations and enable dealers to operate without fear of prosecution, though this bill is narrowly tailored to protect only those who seek help and excludes those with outstanding warrants. The bill does not cite specific CBO cost estimates or non-partisan effectiveness data in the text itself, though the GAO study requirement (Section 5) acknowledges that states have varying levels of implementation and enforcement, suggesting awareness of current evidence gaps.
Real-World Stakes
Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia have enacted some form of Good Samaritan overdose law as of 2023, with considerable variation in scope. States with robust protections (e.g., New York's law, which protects those reporting overdoses from prosecution for most drug possession charges) have reported increased 911 calls for overdoses post-enactment. The National Institutes of Health and academic research have documented that fear of legal consequences is a significant barrier to seeking emergency medical help during overdoses. If this bill passes, it establishes a federal floor that supersedes state laws lacking comparable protections, potentially reducing the current patchwork where someone calling 911 in a state with weak protections can still be prosecuted for possession. The GAO study (due 2 years after enactment) will provide empirical data on whether federal uniformity and grant-funded awareness campaigns actually increase reported overdoses and reduce deaths—outcomes not yet rigorously measured at the federal level. Law enforcement budgets will absorb training costs (via reallocation of Byrne JAG funds), and state health departments will reallocate existing public health grants toward awareness campaigns rather than other uses.
Sponsor
Sponsor information not available.
Vote Record
No recorded votes.
Campaign Finance — Primary Sponsor
No campaign finance data available yet.
501(c)(4) disclosure: Contributions from 501(c)(4) "dark money" organizations are not required to be publicly disclosed and are not reflected in the figures above. Data sourced from FEC public disclosure filings.
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