EXPAND SKI PATROL IMMUNITY
House Bill 4403
Sponsor: Rep. Steven Lindberg
Committee: Judiciary
Complete to 11-16-09
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4403 AS INTRODUCED 2-24-09
The bill would revise a provision of the Good Samaritan law to grant immunity from civil actions to members of the National Ski Patrol who provide emergency services.
The bill would amend Public Act 17 of 1963, known as the Good Samaritan law. Currently, immunity from civil actions is extended to a registered member of the National Ski Patrol who, while on patrol, renders emergency care in good faith at the scene of an emergency.
The bill would delete the provision restricting the immunity to services rendered while on patrol and instead simply grant immunity from civil actions to any registered member of the National Ski Patrol system who, in good faith, rendered emergency care at the scene of an emergency. Thus, the bill would extend the immunity for ski patrol members to emergencies occurring off the ski hill. The current exception from immunity for acts or omissions that amount to gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct would be retained.
MCL 691.1507
FISCAL IMPACT:
House Bill 4403 would have an indeterminate, but likely positive, fiscal impact on the judiciary. Any fiscal impact would be derived from fewer civil actions as a result of expanded civil immunity for a national ski patrol member providing emergency care in non-ski emergencies.
Legislative Analyst: Susan Stutzky
Fiscal Analyst: Ben Gielczyk
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.