PocketLaw | Illinois Compiled Statutes

Good Samaritan Act.

Checkout our iOS App for a better way to browser and research.

(745 ILCS 49/1)

Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Good Samaritan Act.

(Source: P.A. 89-607, eff. 1-1-97.)

(745 ILCS 49/2)

Sec. 2. Legislative purpose. The General Assembly has established numerous protections for the generous and compassionate acts of its citizens who volunteer their time and talents to help others. These protections or good samaritan provisions have been codified in many Acts of the Illinois Compiled Statutes. This Act recodifies existing good samaritan provisions. Further, without limitation the provisions of this Act shall be liberally construed to encourage persons to volunteer their time and talents.

(Source: P.A. 89-607, eff. 1-1-97.)

(745 ILCS 49/5)

Sec. 5. Emergency telephone instructions; exemption from civil liability. No person who gives emergency instructions through a system established under the Emergency Telephone System Act to persons rendering services in an emergency at another location, nor any person following the instructions in rendering the services, shall be liable for any civil damages as a result of issuing or following the instructions, unless issuing or following the instructions constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(Source: P.A. 89-607, eff. 1-1-97.)

(745 ILCS 49/10)

Sec. 10. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; exemption from civil liability for emergency care. Any person trained in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation who has successfully completed training in accordance with the standards of the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association and who in good faith, not for compensation, provides emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation in accordance with his or her training to a person who is an apparent victim of acute cardiopulmonary insufficiency shall not, as the result of his or her acts or omissions in providing resuscitation, be liable for civil damages, unless the acts or omissions constitute willful and wanton misconduct.

(Source: P.A. 97-150, eff. 7-18-11.)

(745 ILCS 49/12)

Sec. 12. Use of an automated external defibrillator; exemption from civil liability for emergency care. As provided in Section 30 of the Automated External Defibrillator Act, any automated external defibrillator user who in good faith and without fee or compensation renders emergency medical care involving the use of an automated external defibrillator in accordance with his or her training is not liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission, except for willful and wanton misconduct, by that person in rendering that care.

(Source: P.A. 95-447, eff. 8-27-07.)

(745 ILCS 49/15)

Sec. 15. Dentists; exemption from civil liability for emergency care. Any dentist or any person licensed as a dentist in any other state or territory of the United States who in good faith provides emergency care without fee to a victim of an accident at the scene of an accident shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except willful or wanton misconduct on the part of the person, in providing the care, be liable for civil damages.

(Source: P.A. 89-607, eff. 1-1-97.)

(745 ILCS 49/20)

Sec. 20. Free dental clinic; exemption from civil liability for services performed without compensation.

(a) Any person licensed under the Illinois Dental Practice Act to practice dentistry or to practice as a dental hygienist who, in good faith, provides dental treatment, dental services, diagnoses, or advice as part of the services of an established free dental clinic providing care to medically indigent patients which is limited to care which does not require the services of a licensed hospital or ambulatory surgical treatment center, and who receives no fee or compensation from that source shall not, as a result of any acts or omissions, except for willful or wanton misconduct on the part of the licensee, in providing dental treatment, dental services, diagnoses or advice, be liable for civil damages. For purposes of this Section, a "free dental clinic" is an organized program providing, without charge, dental care to individuals unable to pay for their care. For purposes of this Section, an "organized program" is a program sponsored by a community, public health, charitable, voluntary, or organized dental organization. Free dental services provided under this Section may be provided at a clinic or private dental office. A free dental clinic may receive reimbursement from the Department of Healthcare and Family Services or may receive partial reimbursement from a patient based upon ability to pay, provided any such reimbursements shall be used only to pay overhead expenses of operating the free dental clinic and may not be used, in whole or in part, to provide a fee, reimbursement, or other compensation to any person licensed under the Illinois Dental Practice Act who is receiving an exemption under this Section or to any entity that the person owns or controls or in which the person has an ownership interest or from which the person receives a fee, reimbursement, or compensation of any kind. Dental care shall not include the use of general anesthesia or require an overnight stay in a health care facility.

(b) A dentist who administers vaccinations as provided in Section 54.3 of the Illinois Dental Practice Act at a public health clinic operated pursuant to the Public Health District Act, without charge to the patient or the receipt of a fee or compensation from that clinic or for that service in any way, shall not be liable for civil damages as a result of his or her acts or omissions in providing vaccinations, except for willful or wanton misconduct.

(c) The provisions of this Section shall not apply in any case unless the free dental clinic or public health clinic has posted in a conspicuous place on its premises an explanation of the immunity from civil liability provided in this Section.

(c-5) This Section does not apply to a dentist issued a temporary visiting dentist permit pursuant to Section 19.2 of the Illinois Dental Practice Act.

(d) The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly apply only to causes of action accruing on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 102-582, eff. 1-1-22.)

(745 ILCS 49/25)

Sec. 25. Physicians; exemption from civil liability for emergency care. Any person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 or any person licensed to practice the treatment of human ailments in any other state or territory of the United States who, in good faith, provides emergency care without fee to a person, shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except willful or wanton misconduct on the part of the person, in providing the care, be liable for civil damages.

(Source: P.A. 89-607, eff. 1-1-97; 90-742, eff. 8-13-98.)

(745 ILCS 49/30)

Sec. 30. Free medical clinic; exemption from civil liability for services performed without compensation.

(a) A person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987, a person licensed to practice the treatment of human ailments in any other state or territory of the United States, or a health care professional, including but not limited to an advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, nurse, pharmacist, physical therapist, podiatric physician, or social worker licensed in this State or any other state or territory of the United States, who, in good faith, provides medical treatment, diagnosis, or advice as a part of the services of an established free medical clinic providing care to medically indigent patients which is limited to care that does not require the services of a licensed hospital or ambulatory surgical treatment center and who receives no fee or compensation from that source shall not be liable for civil damages as a result of his or her acts or omissions in providing that medical treatment, except for willful or wanton misconduct.

(b) For purposes of this Section, a "free medical clinic" is:

(1) an organized community based program providing medical care without charge to individuals unable to pay for it, at which the care provided does not include the use of general anesthesia or require an overnight stay in a health-care facility; or
(2) a program organized by a certified local health department pursuant to Part 600 of Title 77 of the Illinois Administrative Code, utilizing health professional members of the Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps (the federal organization under 42 U.S.C. 300hh-15) providing medical care without charge to individuals unable to pay for it, at which the care provided does not include an overnight stay in a health-care facility.

(c) The provisions of subsection (a) of this Section do not apply to a particular case unless the free medical clinic has posted in a conspicuous place on its premises an explanation of the exemption from civil liability provided herein.

(d) The immunity from civil damages provided under subsection (a) also applies to physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers that provide further medical treatment, diagnosis, or advice to a patient upon referral from an established free medical clinic without fee or compensation.

(e) Nothing in this Section prohibits a free medical clinic from accepting voluntary contributions for medical services provided to a patient who has acknowledged his or her ability and willingness to pay a portion of the value of the medical services provided.

Any voluntary contribution collected for providing care at a free medical clinic shall be used only to pay overhead expenses of operating the clinic. No portion of any moneys collected shall be used to provide a fee or other compensation to any person licensed under Medical Practice Act of 1987.

(f) The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly apply only to causes of action accruing on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 99-42, eff. 1-1-16; 100-513, eff. 1-1-18.)

(745 ILCS 49/30.5)

Sec. 30.5. Alternative free medical clinic without physical premises patient notification practice. A free medical clinic under this Act which does not have physical premises on which to post the explanation of the exemption from civil liability under this Act, shall provide a clear, concise, and understandable explanation of the exemption from civil liability provided in this Act in writing, in at least 14 point bold type to each person who is enrolled as a patient or member of that free clinic or, in the case of a minor patient or member to the parent or guardian of the minor.

The explanation of the exemption from civil liability must be contained in a separate document and be signed by the patient or member of the free clinic or, in the case of a minor patient or member by the parent or guardian of the minor.

No immunity provisions under this Act apply unless a free medical clinic without physical premises complies with this Section.

The changes made by this amendatory Act of the 95th General

Assembly apply to actions accruing on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act

of the 95th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 95-874, eff. 8-21-08.)

(745 ILCS 49/34)

Sec. 34. Advanced practice registered nurse; exemption from civil liability for emergency care. A person licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse under the Nurse Practice Act who in good faith provides emergency care without fee to a person shall not be liable for civil damages as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except for willful or wanton misconduct on the part of the person in providing the care.

(Source: P.A. 100-513, eff. 1-1-18.)

(745 ILCS 49/35)

Sec. 35. Nurses; exemption from civil liability for emergency care. Any person licensed as a professional nurse or as a practical nurse in Illinois or any other state or territory of the United States who in good faith provides emergency care without fee to a person shall not, as a result of her or his acts or omissions, except for willful or wanton misconduct on the part of the person, in providing the care, be liable for civil damages.

(Source: P.A. 89-607, eff. 1-1-97; 90-742, eff. 8-13-98.)

(745 ILCS 49/36)

Sec. 36. Pharmacists; exemptions from civil liability for the dispensing of an opioid antagonist to individuals who may or may not be at risk for an opioid overdose. Any person licensed as a pharmacist in Illinois or any other state or territory of the United States who in good faith dispenses or administers an opioid antagonist as defined in Section 5-23 of the Substance Use Disorder Act in compliance with the procedures or protocols developed under Section 19.1 of the Pharmacy Practice Act, or the standing order of any person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987, without fee or compensation in any way, shall not, as a result of her or his acts or omissions, except for willful or wanton misconduct on the part of the person, in dispensing the drug or administering the drug, be liable for civil damages.

(Source: P.A. 99-480, eff. 9-9-15; 100-759, eff. 1-1-19.)

(745 ILCS 49/40)

Sec. 40. Nurses; exemption from civil liability for services performed without compensation.

(a) No person licensed as a professional nurse or as a practical nurse under the Nurse Practice Act who, without compensation, renders nursing services shall be liable, and no cause of action may be brought, for damages resulting from an act or omission in rendering such services unless the act or omission involved willful or wanton misconduct.

(b) (Blank).

(c) As used in this Section "entity" means a proprietorship, partnership, association or corporation, whether or not operated for profit.

(d) Nothing in this Section is intended to bar any cause of action against an entity or change the liability of an entity which arises out of an act or omission of any person exempt from liability for negligence under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 95-639, eff. 10-5-07.)

(745 ILCS 49/42)

Sec. 42. Optometrists; exemption from civil liability for emergency care. Any optometrist or any person licensed as a optometrist in any other state or territory of the United States who in good faith provides emergency care without fee to a victim of an accident at the scene of an accident shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except willful or wanton misconduct on the part of the person, in providing the care, be liable for civil damages.

(Source: P.A. 90-413, eff. 1-1-98.)

(745 ILCS 49/45)

Sec. 45. Physical Therapist; exemption from civil liability for emergency care. Any physical therapist, as defined in Section 1 of the Illinois Physical Therapy Act, who in good faith provides emergency care without fee to any person shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except willful and wanton misconduct on the part of the person in providing the care, be liable to a person to whom such care is provided for civil damages.

(Source: P.A. 89-607, eff. 1-1-97; 90-742, eff. 8-13-98.)

(745 ILCS 49/46)

Sec. 46. Physician assistant; exemption from civil liability for emergency care. A person licensed as a physician assistant under the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987 who in good faith provides emergency care without fee to a person shall not be liable for civil damages as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except for willful or wanton misconduct on the part of the person in providing the care.

(Source: P.A. 91-446, eff. 8-6-99.)

(745 ILCS 49/50)

Sec. 50. Podiatric physician; exemption from civil liability for emergency care. Any person licensed to practice podiatric medicine in Illinois, or licensed under an Act of any other state or territory of the United States, who in good faith provides emergency care without fee to a victim of an accident at the scene of an accident or in case of nuclear attack shall not, as a result of his acts or omissions, except willful or wanton misconduct on the part of the person in providing the care, be liable for civil damages.

(Source: P.A. 98-214, eff. 8-9-13.)

(745 ILCS 49/55)

Sec. 55. Respiratory care practitioner; exemption from civil liability for emergency care. A person licensed under the Respiratory Care Practice Act or any person licensed as a respiratory care practitioner in another state or territory, who in good faith provides emergency care, without a fee, to a victim of an accident at the scene of an accident or to a victim of a natural disaster, including but not limited to an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, nuclear attack, or other similar emergency, shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except for willful or wanton misconduct in providing care, be liable for civil damages.

(Source: P.A. 89-607, eff. 1-1-97.)

(745 ILCS 49/60)

Sec. 60. Veterinarians; exemption from civil liability for emergency care to humans. Any person licensed under the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 or any person licensed as a veterinarian in any other state or territory of the United States who in good faith provides emergency care to a human victim of an accident, at the scene of an accident or in a catastrophe shall not be liable for civil damages as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except for willful or wanton misconduct on the part of the person in providing the care.

(Source: P.A. 93-281, eff. 12-31-03.)

(745 ILCS 49/65)

Sec. 65. Choking victim at food-service establishment; exemption from civil liability for emergency assistance. Except as provided by law, no person shall be obligated to remove, assist in removing, or attempt to remove, food from another person's throat, nor shall any person who in good faith removes or attempts to remove food in an emergency occurring at a food-service establishment as defined in the Choke-Saving Methods Act be liable for any civil damages as a result of any acts or omissions by that person in rendering emergency assistance.

(Source: P.A. 89-607, eff. 1-1-97.)

(745 ILCS 49/67)

Sec. 67. First aid providers; exemption for first aid. Any person who is currently certified in first aid by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or the National Safety Council and who in good faith provides first aid without fee to any person shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except willful and wanton misconduct on the part of the person in providing the aid, be liable to a person to whom such aid is provided for civil damages.

The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any health care facility as defined in Section 8-2001 of the Code of Civil Procedure or to any practitioner as defined in Section 8-2003 of the Code of Civil Procedure providing services in a hospital or health care facility.

(Source: P.A. 94-825, eff. 7-1-06; 94-1088, eff. 1-25-07.)

(745 ILCS 49/68)

Sec. 68. Disaster relief volunteers. Any firefighter, licensed emergency medical technician (EMT) as defined by Section 3.50 of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act, physician, dentist, podiatric physician, optometrist, pharmacist, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or nurse who in good faith and without fee or compensation provides health care services as a disaster relief volunteer shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except willful and wanton misconduct on the part of the person, in providing health care services, be liable to a person to whom the health care services are provided for civil damages. This immunity applies to health care services that are provided without fee or compensation during or within 10 days following the end of a disaster or catastrophic event.

The immunity provided in this Section only applies to a disaster relief volunteer who provides health care services in relief of an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, nuclear attack, terrorist attack, epidemic, or pandemic without fee or compensation for providing the volunteer health care services.

The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any health care facility as defined in Section 8-2001 of the Code of Civil Procedure or to any practitioner, who is not a disaster relief volunteer, providing health care services in a hospital or health care facility.

(Source: P.A. 100-513, eff. 1-1-18.)

(745 ILCS 49/70)

Sec. 70. Law enforcement officers, firemen, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and first responders; exemption from civil liability for emergency care. Any law enforcement officer or fireman as defined in Section 2 of the Line of Duty Compensation Act, any "emergency medical technician (EMT)" as defined in Section 3.50 of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act, and any "first responder" as defined in Section 3.60 of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act, who in good faith provides emergency care, including the administration of an opioid antagonist as defined in Section 5-23 of the Substance Use Disorder Act, without fee or compensation to any person shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except willful and wanton misconduct on the part of the person, in providing the care, be liable to a person to whom such care is provided for civil damages.

(Source: P.A. 99-480, eff. 9-9-15; 100-759, eff. 1-1-19.)

(745 ILCS 49/71)

Sec. 71. Exemption from civil liability in emergencies requiring building evacuations. Any person who in good faith provides emergency care, without fee or compensation, to any person at the scene of an emergency that necessitates the evacuation of a building shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except willful and wanton misconduct on the part of the person in providing the emergency care, be liable to a person to whom such emergency care is provided for civil damages. This Section shall apply to causes of action accruing on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 96-1169, eff. 7-22-10.)

(745 ILCS 49/72)

Sec. 72. Professional engineers, architects, land surveyors, and structural engineers; exemption from civil liability for professional services in response to disasters or catastrophic events. Any professional engineer, architect, land surveyor, or structural engineer who in good faith, without fee, provides professional services in response to a disaster or other catastrophic event shall not be liable for civil damages as a result of his or her acts or omissions in providing the professional services, except for willful and wanton misconduct. This immunity applies to services that are provided without fee during or within 60 days following the end of a disaster or catastrophic event.

(Source: P.A. 94-290, eff. 1-1-06.)

(745 ILCS 49/75)

Sec. 75. Employers and employees under the Health and Safety Act; exemption from civil liability for emergency care. Any employer, who in good faith provides emergency medical or first aid care without fee to any employee or any other person employed on the same project shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except willful and wanton misconduct on the part of the employer, in providing the care, be liable to such employee or such other person to whom such care is provided for civil damages.

Any employee who in good faith provides emergency medical or first aid care without fee to any other employee or any other person employed on the same project shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except for willful and wanton misconduct on the part of the employee in providing the care, be liable to the employee or other person to whom the care is provided for civil damages.

Excluded from the operation of this Section are any employees who are licensed physicians, nurses, dentists, or other licensed health services personnel.

The provisions of this Section do not affect or in any way diminish or change an employer's liability under the Workers' Compensation Act, or the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act.

This Section applies only to employers and employees under the Health and Safety Act.

(Source: P.A. 89-607, eff. 1-1-97; 90-742, eff. 8-13-98.)

(745 ILCS 49/80)

Sec. 80. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).