Prez gives assent to K'taka's good samaritan bill

Karnataka’s Good Samaritan bill, the first of its kind in the country, has got President Ram Nath Kovind’s assent.

The Karnataka Good Samaritan and Medical Professional (Protection and Regulation During Emergency Situations) Bill 2016 gives legal protection to good Samaritans who help accidents victims with emergency medical care within the ‘golden hour’ — the first hour after a traumatic injury when emergency treatment is crucial.

The law, which aims to encourage people to offer first-aid to victims without fear of harassment at the hands of police, provides for financial help to good Samaritans who help victims in a timely manner. They will be exempted from repeated attendance in courts and police stations.

A ‘Good Samaritan Fund’ will be created to deal with the expenses incurred by them. Also, the person who helps the accident victim is not bound to stay at the hospital for the procedure to be completed.

It also makes it mandatory for both government and private hospitals to provide first-aid to accident victims.