Vidhi Codex

The Karnataka Good Samaritan and Medical Professional (Protection and Regulation During Emergency Situations) Act, 2016

The Karnataka Good Samaritan and Medical Professional (Protection and Regulation During Emergency Situations) Act, 2016

Health201631 sections9 chapters

This Act encourages helping injured individuals by protecting Good Samaritans, bystanders, and medical professionals from legal liability while providing emergency care. It mandates hospitals to administer stabilizing treatment without unnecessary bureaucracy to ensure prompt medical attention for victims of accidents or crimes. By balancing the statutory duties of doctors with the freedom to assist in emergencies, the legislation aims to reduce preventable deaths by removing fear of lawsuits and ensuring that both volunteers and healthcare providers can focus on saving lives during critical moments.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I PRELIMINARY →

  1. 1Short title and commencement
  2. 2Definitions.- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

Chapter II PROTECTION FOR GOOD SAMARITANS →

  1. 3Protection for Good Samaritan from Civil or Criminal Liability
  2. 4Rights of Good Samaritan.- (1) A Good Samaritan shall not be required to,-

Chapter III PROTECTION FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS →

  1. 5Protection for Medical Professionals

Chapter IV DUTY OF HOSPITALS AND PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS →

  1. 6Hospitals’ affirmative duty to Assist
  2. 7Detaining a Good Samaritan in a Hospital
  3. 8Duties of a Hospital

Chapter V POLICE INVESTIGATION OF GOOD SAMARITANS →

  1. 9Requirement of attendance and examination by the Police
  2. 10Non –compliance

Chapter VI ESTABLISHMENT OF GOOD SAMARITAN FUND →

  1. 11Constitution of good samaritan fund
  2. 12Responsibility for implementation and administration of fund

Chapter VII FACILITATION OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS →

  1. 13Restriction on postponement or adjournment of court proceedings.- (1) Where a
  2. 14Provided that in no circumstance more than one adjournment shall be granted when the Good Samaritan is in attendance.

Chapter VIII OFFENCES AND PENALTIES →

  1. 15Considerations while imposing penalty
  2. 16Non-compliance by Police officer.- Any police officer, who violates the provisions of this
  3. 17Offences by Companies
  4. 18Act, 2013 (Central Act 18 of 2013).
  5. 19Offences by Hospital:- (1) Contravention of any of the provisions of Chapter IV of
  6. 20Offences by Medical Professionals
  7. 21Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 and disciplinary action shall be taken against such medical professional under Chapter 8 of the said Regulations.
  8. 22Appeal

Chapter IX MISCELLANEOUS →

  1. 23Power to make rules
  2. 24Power to make schemes
  3. 25Annual Report
  4. 26Accounts and audit
  5. 27Educational institutions to impart training in first-aid and emergency care to students
  6. 28Organization of awareness programmes and workshops
  7. 29Power to remove difficulties
  8. 30Act to have overriding effect

PDF: pending for this language.