Medical Amnesty

In short, UTC’s Medical Amnesty Policy says that if someone needs medical attention and someone else acts to keep them safe, both parties will be routed to supportive measures rather than getting in trouble—even if there are illicit substances involved, or the students are under age.  

This policy—which mirrors TN’s Good Samaritan laws—is designed to reduce fear of consequences, and encourage people to call for help and assist someone experiencing a medical emergency. It puts the safety and health of our community above the repercussions for violating other UTC policies.  

Key Limitations:

1. The responding student must call proactively to seek help. Amnesty can’t be declared if law enforcement or EMS arrive on the scene for another reason. 
2. The responding student must stay with the person in need, and provide accurate information to EMS/law enforcement. 
3.  Students who have repeatedly violated the Code of Conduct may not be eligible for Amnesty; the Office of Student Conduct is responsible for determining if the Amnesty Policy applies. 
    

Read the Full Policy

This information is from the UTC Student Code of Conduct at www.utc.edu/studentcode. 

17. AMNESTY FOR GOOD SAMARITANS AND IMPAIRED STUDENTS 
1.    The University holds paramount the health, safety, and welfare of students. Accordingly, all students are expected to alert appropriate officials in the event of a health, safety, or welfare emergency, including, without limitation, a situation involving the abuse of alcohol or drugs. 
2.    When a student knows or reasonably should know that another student is in need of emergency medical attention, the student is expected to: (i) contact appropriate persons (including, but not limited to, University faculty or staff members, law enforcement officials, etc.) to report the incident and request assistance, including providing his or her name and contact information and the name and contact information of the impaired student; and (ii) demonstrate cooperation and care by remaining with the impaired student and providing reasonable assistance during and after the incident. A student who complies with the expectations described in this Section 17 is referred to as a "Good Samaritan." A student in need of emergency medical attention is referred to as an "impaired student" under this Section. 
3.    Amnesty for Good Samaritans. Unless a Good Samaritan has engaged in repeated or serious violations of the Code (including, but not limited to, physical or sexual assault, property destruction, disorderly behavior, theft, multiple alcohol or drug violations), a Good Samaritan will not be subject to formal University disciplinary action for any Code violation(s) discovered by the University as a result of the Good Samaritan's report. While no formal University disciplinary action may be taken, a Good Samaritan may be required to meet with the Office of Student Conduct to discuss the Good Samaritan's Code violation(s) and adhere to appropriate remedial and/or educational recommendations. 
4.    Amnesty for Impaired Student. Unless an impaired student has engaged in repeated or serious violations of the Code (including, but not limited to, physical or sexual assault, property destruction, disorderly behavior, theft, multiple alcohol or drug violations), an impaired student will not be subject to formal University disciplinary action for any Code violation(s) discovered by the University as a result of the Good Samaritan's report. While no formal University disciplinary action may be taken, the impaired student may be required to meet with the Office of Student Conduct to discuss the impaired student's Code violation(s), participate in educational activities, and/or establish that he or she has addressed the issues that contributed to the Code violation(s). 
5.    Application to Student Organizations. Student organizations, through their officers and members, are also expected to take responsible action in emergency situations in accordance with the expectations under Section 17(2) of this Chapter. A student organization may receive amnesty for any Code violation(s) discovered by the University as a result of the Good Samaritan reports of its officers and/or members, but if not granted amnesty, the responsible actions of its officers and/or members will be considered a mitigating factor when determining disciplinary sanctions, if any, for any Code violation(s) for which the student organization is found responsible. Conversely, the failure of a student organization's officers and/or members to take responsible action in emergency situations in accordance with the expectations under Section 17(2) of this Chapter may be considered an aggravating factor when determining disciplinary sanctions, if any, for any Code violation(s) for which the student organization is found responsible. 

Tennessee State Protections 
Tennessee state law (TN Code § 63-1-156 (2024)) also provides discretionary protection against some drug charges--such as minors in possession of alcohol or simple possession of illicit substances--if law enforcement only discovered evidence of a crime because of a bystander's intervention in a medical emergency. 
Bystanders who act in good faith to provide aid or administer naloxone are generally protected from civil liability, per TN Code § 63-6-218 (2024).