18 Pa. C.S. § 6308.1

Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-92
Section 6308.1 - Safe harbor for violation of section 6308(a)
(a)Immunity for the individual seeking medical attention for another.--An individual shall not be prosecuted for an offense under section 6308(a) (relating to purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of liquor or malt or brewed beverages) if the individual can establish all of the following:
(1) A law enforcement officer first became aware of the individual's violation of section 6308(a) because the individual placed a 911 call or contacted campus security, police or emergency services, based on a reasonable belief that another individual was in need of immediate medical attention to prevent death or serious bodily injury.
(2) The individual reasonably believed the individual was the first individual to make a 911 call or contact campus security, police or emergency services and report that the other individual needed immediate medical attention to prevent death or serious bodily injury.
(3) The individual provided the individual's own name to the 911 operator or equivalent campus security officer, police or emergency services personnel.
(4) The individual remained with the other individual needing medical assistance until a campus security officer, police or emergency services personnel arrived and the need for the individual's presence ended.
(b)Immunity for the individual needing medical attention.--An individual needing medical attention shall be immune under this section from prosecution for an offense under section 6308(a) if another individual reported the incident and remained with the individual needing medical attention and is entitled to immunity under this section.
(c) Limitations.--The immunity described under this section shall be limited as follows:
(1) This section may not bar prosecuting a person for an offense under section 6308(a) if a law enforcement officer learns of the offense prior to and independent of the action of seeking or obtaining emergency assistance as described in subsection (a).
(2) This section shall not interfere with or prevent the investigation, arrest, charging or prosecution of an individual for a crime other than an offense under section 6308(a).
(3) This section shall not bar the admissibility of evidence in connection with the investigation and prosecution for a crime other than an offense under section 6308(a).
(4) This section shall not bar the admissibility of evidence in connection with the investigation and prosecution of a crime with regard to another defendant who does not independently qualify for immunity under this section.
(d)Good faith immunity.--In addition to any other applicable immunity or limitation on civil liability, a law enforcement officer, campus security officer or prosecuting attorney who, acting in good faith, charges a person who is thereafter determined to be entitled to immunity under this section shall not be subject to civil liability for the filing of the charges.
(e) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"911 System." A system, including enhanced 911 service and a wireless e-911 system, that permits a person dialing 911 by telephone to be connected to a public safety answering point, via normal telephone facilities, for the reporting of police, fire, medical or other emergency situations.

"Campus security officer." An employee of an institution of higher education charged with maintaining the safety and security of the property of the institution and persons on the property.

"Emergency services personnel." Individuals, including a trained volunteer or a member of the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard, whose official or assigned responsibilities include performing or directly supporting the performance of emergency medical and rescue services or firefighting.

"Law enforcement officer." A person who by virtue of the person's office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for offenses, whether that duty extends to all offenses or is limited to specific offenses, or a person on active state duty under 51 Pa.C.S. § 508 (relating to active duty for emergency).

18 Pa.C.S. § 6308.1

Added by P.L. TBD 2018 No. 80, § 3, eff. 11/19/2018.