Source: https://code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/titles/7/chapters/4/
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 10:47:04+00:00

Document:
D.C. Law Library - Chapter 4. Limitation on Liability for Medical Care or Assistance in Emergency Situations.
§ 7–404. Prescribing authority of opioid antagonist for overdose victim and 3rd parties.
D.C. Law 14-194 added subsec. (d-1); and in subsec. (e), substituted “ ‘emergency medical technician/paramedic,’ ‘emergency medical technician/intermediate paramedic,’ and ‘emergency medical technician’ ” for “ ‘emergency medical technician/paramedic’ and ‘emergency medical technician/intermediate paramedic’ ”.
Distribution of controlled substances, see § 48-903.01 et seq.
(2) The offense listed in subsection (b) of this section arises from the same circumstances as the seeking of health care under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(C) The sale or delivery of an alcoholic beverage to a person under 21 years of age as prohibited by § 25-781(a)(1).
(c) The seeking of health care under subsection (a) of this section, whether or not presented by the parties, may be considered by the court as a mitigating factor in any criminal prosecution or sentencing for a drug or alcohol-related offense that is not an offense listed in subsection (b) of this section.
(d) This section does not prohibit a person from being arrested, charged, or prosecuted, or from having his or her supervision status modified or revoked, based on an offense other than an offense listed in subsection (b) of this section, whether or not the offense arises from the same circumstances as the seeking of health care.
(e) A law enforcement officer who arrests an individual for an offense listed in subsection (b) of this section shall not be subject to criminal prosecution, or civil liability for false arrest or false imprisonment, if the officer made the arrest based on probable cause.
(3) Without the expectation of receiving or intending to seek compensation for such service and acts.
(6) Police arrests made in response to seeking health care for a person experiencing an overdose.
(4) The provisions of this section, with a special emphasis on the education of subpopulations that may be at greater risk of experiencing or witnessing an overdose.
(1) “Good faith” under subsection (a) of this section does not include the seeking of health care as a result of using drugs or alcohol in connection with the execution of an arrest warrant or search warrant or a lawful arrest or search.
(2) “Opioid antagonist” means a drug, such as Naloxone, that binds to the opioid receptors with higher affinity than agonists but does not activate the receptors, effectively blocking the receptor, preventing the human body from making use of opiates and endorphins.
(3) “Overdose” means an acute condition of physical illness, coma, mania, hysteria, seizure, cardiac arrest, cessation of breathing, or death, which is or reasonably appears to be the result of consumption or use of drugs or alcohol and relates to an adverse reaction to or the quantity ingested of the drugs or alcohol, or to a substance with which the drugs or alcohol was combined.
(4) “Supervision status” means probation or release pending trial, sentencing, appeal, or completion of sentence, for a violation of District law.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-243 added this section.
(1) "Community-based organization" means an organization that provides services, including medical care, counseling, homeless services, or drug treatment, to individuals and communities impacted by drug use. The term "community-based organization" includes all organizations currently participating in the Needle Exchange Program with the Department of Human Services under § 48-1103.01.
(2) "Health care professional" means a physician or pharmacist licensed under Chapter 12 of Title 3.
(3) "Opioid antagonist" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 7-403(i)(2).
(4) "Overdose" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 7-403(i)(3).
(5) "Standing order" means a prescriptive order written by a health care professional that is not specific to and does not identify a particular patient.
(3) An employee or volunteer of a community-based organization.
(2) A family member, friend, or other person in a position to assist a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose.
(d)(1)(A) A pharmacist may not prescribe an opioid antagonist under this section unless he or she completes training conducted by the Department of Health; provided, that a pharmacist is not required to complete training in order to dispense or distribute an opioid antagonist prescribed by a physician.
(B) An employee or volunteer of a community-based organization shall not dispense or distribute an opioid antagonist under this section unless he or she completes training conducted by the Department of Health.
(2) The frequency of the training required by this subsection shall be determined by the Department of Health through rulemaking.
(E) Precautions, warnings, and potential adverse reactions related to the administration of an opioid antagonist.
(6) Information on how to access substance abuse treatment services.
(f)(1) A health care professional or an employee or volunteer of a community-based organization who prescribes, dispenses, or distributes an opioid antagonist in accordance with this section shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for the subsequent use of the opioid antagonist, unless the health care professional's actions or the actions of the employee or volunteer of a community-based organization with regard to prescribing, dispensing, or distributing the opioid antagonist constitute recklessness, gross negligence, or intentional misconduct.
(2) The immunity granted pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection shall apply whether or not the opioid antagonist is administered by or to the person for whom it was prescribed, dispensed, or distributed.
(g) Within 180 days after February 18, 2017, the Mayor, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, shall issue rules to implement the provisions of this section.

References: § 7
 § 48
 § 25
 § 48
 § 7
 § 7