IdahoIdaho law protects unpaid helpers who give emergency care
Idaho protects unpaid people giving good-faith help at emergency scenes, including mental health or suicidal crises, from lawsuits for money unless their care is seriously careless.
What it does
Unpaid helpers acting in good faith at emergency scenes receive protection from lawsuits for money, including for mental health crisis care. Protection excludes seriously careless treatment and ends when the person is handed over for other care.
Argument forProtection from lawsuits could encourage unpaid helpers to step in during emergencies, including when someone has suicidal thoughts.
Argument againstPeople harmed by an unpaid helper’s mistakes may be unable to recover money unless they can show the care was seriously careless.
More detail
The law protects unpaid helpers from lawsuits seeking money for emergency care they give in good faith. People or groups must offer and give help at an accident or emergency scene. Covered care includes first aid, medical care, and psychological help, including responses to suicidal thoughts. Protection excludes gross negligence, meaning seriously careless care. Protection ends when the person reaches a hospital for treatment, an ambulance attendant takes custody, or someone takes over treatment in an office or facility. The law took effect on July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 30Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on March 26, 2026 Session Law Chapter 162 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Mar 26Delivered to Governor at 4:39 p.m. on March 25, 2026To Governor
- Mar 25Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to GovernorMinor
- Mar 25Signed by President; returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 25Received from the House enrolled/signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 24Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to SenateMajor
- Mar 24Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 23Read third time in full – PASSED - 33-0-2AYES – Anthon, Bernt, Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – NoneAbsent and excused – Adams, Bjerke(Bjerke)Floor Sponsor - LentTitle apvd - to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Read third time in full –. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 18Read second time; filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 17Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
- Jan 27Introduced, read first time; referred to: Judiciary & RulesMinor
- Jan 27Received from the House passed; filed for first reading
- Jan 26Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 67-0-3AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Haws, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Manwaring, Marmon, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Raymond, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – NoneAbsent – Ehlers, Leavitt, RedmanFloor Sponsor - EricksonTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Read Third Time in Full –. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 23Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Jan 22Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Jan 19Reported Printed and Referred to Judiciary, Rules & Administration
- Jan 16Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for PrintingIntroduced
HealthcareMental HealthPublic Safety