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An Act Amending the So-called "Good Samaritan" Laws
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 14 MRSA §164, as amended by PL 1977, c. 69, is further amended to read:
§ 164.Immunity from civil liability
Notwithstanding any inconsistent provisions of any public or private and special law, any person who voluntarily, without the expectation of monetary or other compensation from the person aided or treated, renders first aid, emergency treatment or rescue assistance to a person who is unconscious, ill, injured or in need of rescue assistance, shallor provides shelter or housing to a homeless person is not be liable for damages for injuries alleged to have been sustained by such person nor for damages for the death of such person alleged to have occurred by reason of an act or omission in the rendering of such first aid, emergency treatment or rescue assistance, or the providing of shelter or housing, unless it is established that suchthe injuries or such death were caused willfully, wantonly or recklessly or by gross negligence on the part of such person. This section shall applyapplies to members or employees of nonprofit volunteer or governmental ambulance, rescue or emergency units, whether or not a user or service fee may be charged by the nonprofit unit or the governmental entity and whether or not the members or employees receive salaries or other compensation from the nonprofit unit or the governmental entity. This section applies to a person, nonprofit organization or faith-based organization that, voluntarily and without the expectation of monetary or other compensation from the person aided, provides housing or shelter to a homeless person. This section shalldoes not be construed to require a person who is ill or injured to be administered first aid or emergency treatment if suchthat person objects theretoto first aid or emergency treatment on religious grounds. This section shalldoes not apply if such first aid or emergency treatment or assistance is rendered on the premises of a hospital or clinic.
 
SUMMARY
This bill amends to the so-called "Good Samaritan" statute, which provides immunity to a person who renders certain assistance to another person for no expectation of monetary or other compensation from the person aided. It adds immunity for any person, nonprofit organization or faith-based organization that provides shelter or housing to a homeless person.