With the clock ticking out on the 2016 Idaho legislative session, House Bill 521 proposing medical amnesty was officially signed into law by Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter Tuesday evening.
With the new legislation, underage drinkers will be protected from Minor in Consumption and Possession charges in the case of medical emergencies.
ASUI Lobbyist Nate Fisher said the bill had been previously approved by the House, but required a second appraisal after changes to the bill”s language had been made by the Senate.
“We got it through Thursday, March 24 around 7 p.m. Mountain Time and the legislature officially convened at noon the following day,” Fisher said. “We were coming down to the wire.”
The bill was on Otter”s desk by March 28. Otter signed the bill a little over one week later.
Conversations about the bill first began last year. ASUI Director of Policy Nick Wren, who was at the time ASUI director of health and wellness, found out the state of Idaho lacked any sort of medical amnesty policy.
“I was talking to Brian Dulin, the coordinator for the Alcohol and Other Drugs program, and we got on the topic of medical amnesty,” Wren said. “He said UI has this policy, but the state doesn”t.”
That”s when Wren and Fisher began laying the groundwork for the legislation.
“We met with quite a few groups around the university as well as local, like the police, city council,” Wren said. “That kind of culminated in a meeting with the prosecuting attorney Bill Thompson. He really helped us a lot in writing and crafting the language, he really gave the bill shape.”
Fisher said the primary concern surrounding the bill was that a policy of medical amnesty would not hold students accountable for their actions.
“They didn”t want this to be a free pass – they still wanted some type of accountability,” Fisher said. “We really needed to send the message that this isn”t an issue of rewarding them, but of not punishing them for making the right decision.”
Before the bill passed through the legislature, Fisher said many amendments were made to ensure that students maintain a level of accountability.
The official legislation provides a limited immunity from Minor in Consumption and Minor in Possession charges, both misdemeanors, in the event of a medical emergency. Fisher said the bill is specific to any type of medical emergency and is limited to the person who needs help and the person who is seeking medical attention on their behalf.
“Kids that utilize this policy and protection must remain on the scene and cooperate with law enforcement and emergency medical personnel,” Fisher said. “It”s fairly specific. I think it”s valuable and necessary that if the state is going to grant us this protection, there should be some responsibility from our kids too.”
Although the legislation has been signed, the bill will not take effect until July 1.
While many remain critical of the law, Fisher said he believes that fighting for the legislation was worth it.
“I think that if this law saves one life, we will have done a tremendous amount of good for the state of Idaho,” Fisher said.
In addition to sponsorships from Idaho Reps. Caroline Nilsson Troy and Kelley Packer and Idaho Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, students from Boise State University, Lewis-Clark State College and Idaho State University signed a letter in support of the bill.
“This was a very collaborative effort,” Fisher said. “We had a lot of partners and a lot of people who support this bill.”
When Wren found out the bill had been signed, he said he couldn”t quite put his feelings into words.
“As far as we know no other student government in Idaho has passed a bill purely on their backs before,” Wren said. “This is something that was really born in the house in ASUI. To see that come full circle and come to fruition is immensely satisfying.”
While this legislation has the potential to help save lives, Fisher said he also believes that the signing of the bill sends a tremendous message – that students are capable of initiating change outside of their campuses.
“The biggest statement that this makes is that students and young people do have influence in the political process,” Fisher said. “I think what this does is help reinforce the fact that we can make a difference if and when we want to.”
Corrin Bond can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @CorrBond