Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5-603

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) A person described in subsection (b) of this section is not civilly liable for any act or omission in giving any assistance or medical care, if:

(1) The act or omission is not one of gross negligence;

(2) The assistance or medical care is provided without fee or other compensation; and

(3) The assistance or medical care is provided:

(i) At the scene of an emergency;

(ii) In transit to a medical facility; or

(iii) Through communications with personnel providing emergency assistance.

(b) Subsection (a) of this section applies to the following:

(1) An individual who is licensed by this State to provide medical care;

(2) A member of any State, county, municipal, or volunteer fire department, ambulance and rescue squad, or law enforcement agency, the National Ski Patrol System, or a corporate fire department responding to a call outside of its corporate premises, if the member:

(i) Has completed an American Red Cross course in advanced first aid and has a current card showing that status;

(ii) Has completed an equivalent of an American Red Cross course in advanced first aid, as determined by the Secretary of Health;

(iii) Is certified or licensed by this State as an emergency medical services provider; or

(iv) Is administering medications or treatment approved for use in response to an apparent drug overdose and the member is:

1. Licensed or certified as an emergency medical services provider by the State Emergency Medical Services Board and authorized to administer the medications and treatment under protocols established by the State Emergency Medical Services Board;

2. Certified to administer the medications and treatment under protocols established by the Secretary of Health; or

3. Certified to administer the medications and treatment under protocols established by the Maryland State Police Medical Director;

(3) A volunteer fire department or ambulance and rescue squad whose members have immunity; and

(4) A corporation when its fire department personnel are immune under item (2) of this subsection.

(c)(1) An individual who is not covered otherwise by this section is not civilly liable for any act or omission in providing assistance or medical aid to a victim at the scene of an emergency, if:

(i) The assistance or aid is provided in a reasonably prudent manner;

(ii) The assistance or aid is provided without fee or other compensation; and

(iii) The individual relinquishes care of the victim when someone who is licensed or certified by this State to provide medical care or services becomes available to take responsibility.

(2) The immunity from civil liability under paragraph (1) of this subsection applies to an individual when administering naloxone in response to a known or suspected drug overdose.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5-603 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/md/courts-and-judicial-proceedings/md-code-cts-and-jud-pro-sect-5-603/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard