On Monday, Actor-turned MP Kirron Kher pushed for a 'Good Samaritan Law' to protect people who usually step away from helping others "fearing legal hassle", citing the issue of how none came to the help of the Delhi gang rape victim Nirbhaya and something that's usual with other victims in cases including road crashes.
The Chandigarh MP submitted a petition, signed by over 80,000 people, to health minister J P Nadda on the concerned subject after she moved a private member's Bill on this in Lok Sabha last week. She said, "I will meet other ministers and take it up to ensure that the law is made to protect people who can help save lives. We need to have a law that encourages people to help the injured, transport them to hospital without any fear of being harassed by anyone. Other countries have similar laws."
The Bill proposes the setting up of an entity, Good Samaritan Authority, and all other necessary provisions, that would receive complaints of harassment or violations of rights of good Samaritans i.e., people who care and to start legal proceedings against the accused. It also proposes that every hospital and clinic must provide emergency treatment. Failure to do so would be attracting a penalty that may cancel their license and a minimum fine of Rs 10 lakhs, it says. A Good Samaritan Fund has also been proposed by Mrs. Kher, to implement the provisions of the proposed law. When the family members of the victims are not in a position to incur the emergency expenses, this fund can foot bills for emergency care for the injured.
The road transport ministry will put it before a committee of secretaries under the cabinet secretary so that all relevant departments, including home and health, are directed to implement the guidelines, following the Supreme Court decision.
Source: Medindia
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