E.L. supports bill advocating medical amnesty for minors

East Lansing city officials are backing a state bill advocating medical amnesty for minors who seek or receive medical attention if they drink too much.

The state bill, which is scheduled to be discussed by the state House on Oct. 7 and is sponsored by state Rep. Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing, would amend state law to protect minors from facing legal punishment for consuming alcohol in cases in which medical attention is needed. The bill also would provide protection for those who request medical attention for another person.

An East Lansing resolution unanimously passed at Tuesday’s City Council meeting and is a show of support for Meadows’ bill, said Councilmember Nathan Triplett, who introduced the resolution.

“What’s important here is to make clear to the Legislature the breadth of individuals and organizations that are supporting this policy change,” he said. “All too often we hear anecdotes about young people who have had too much to drink that are afraid to seek medical attention for their friends … because they fear legal repercussions.”

Meadows, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, called Tuesday’s measure a “great resolution,” and said he hopes to see similar support statewide.

“The city has fully supported this and I hope to see full support from other towns and colleges as well,” he said.

East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert said at Tuesday’s meeting that ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, had approached the city last year to enact a policy that would allow officers to gauge a minor’s health before issuing a citation. He said such a policy has been the city’s practice for several years, although the city attorney advised against creating a formal policy like this because it violates state law.

“It’s actually a criminal offense for a police officer to walk away from an MIP without writing a ticket,” Wibert said at Tuesday’s meeting. “What I would like and what I suggested to ASMSU is that the state law be changed and that would allow us to make our current practice legal and also to jump on the bandwagon. It’s a safety issue.”

The city’s resolution also commends efforts by ASMSU to lobby for the bill’s passage. Emily Serkaian, ASMSU’s governmental affairs community liaison, said the group’s efforts began with the passing of a “Good Samaritan” bill in the Student Assembly in late 2008. Serkaian was present at the City Council’s meeting.

“It’s an issue that any college student can take to heart,” she said. “If people need medical attention, they should not be afraid to seek it out.”

ASMSU will attend the Oct. 7 Judiciary Committee meeting to testify in support of the bill, Serkaian said, which, upon approval, would then go to the House of Representatives for a floor vote. She said the group will push for students to contact the Legislature.

Andy Giannini, an MSU computer science senior, said the bill would benefit the state. He said he has been in situations in which medical assistance was not requested when needed.

“I know a couple of people that purposely didn’t (get help) just because they were afraid of punishment,” he said.

Staff writer Kate Jacobson contributed to this report.