Red Bank Supports Vetoed Good Samaritan Bill

During its regular, but snowy Wednesday night meeting, Red Bank Council passed a resolution of support for the recently vetoed Good Samaritan Emergency Response Act.

The act, which received bipartisan support from the State Legislature, would provide legal protection in the form of limited immunity for those attempting to get medical help for a drug overdose victim. It would also prevent authorities from arresting victims of an overdose.

Despite passing in the State Senate, the bill was vetoed in October by Gov. Chris Christie who said the issue needs to be studied before he'd be willing to sign the act into law.  

With the bill back in front of the State Senate, which could override Christie's veto, Red Bank Council said it supports the measure because it could end up being a life-saving one.

Councilman Ed Zipprich said the bill is a necessary one to ensure that those who attempt to help overdose victims and those attempting suicide aren't subject to legal ramifications for their efforts to save someone's life.