The House Judiciary Committee decided House Bill 11-51 needs some fine-tuning before it passes. The bill gives certain fire and ambulance departments immunity from liability. South Dakota’s Good Samaritan law currently does not cover people in these positions. Some legislators say this needs to change.
 

Representative Tim Rounds says eligible volunteer responders may be hesitant to help out in emergency situations knowing their own personal property may be at risk if a law suit arises.
 

“Now that it’s realized that the Good Samaritan law doesn’t extend to the officers and directors it will become more difficult to find people to volunteer for these positions. As a result emergency service entities could cease to exist and the public service they provide would no longer be offered,” says Rounds.
 

Supporters of House Bill 11-51 say that rural South Dakota locations already struggle with recruiting and retaining volunteer emergency responder positions, and that this bill is common-sense legislation. No one spoke against the bill but some legislators feel that the Committee needs more time to study the specifics. The bill was deferred to Wednesday’s agenda.