Torts: liability; immunity for individuals rendering emergency services who apply bleeding control; provide for. Amends 1963 PA 17 (MCL 691.1501 - 691.1507) by adding sec. 8. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0591’25
Key claim: Michigan SB0590 would extend Good Samaritan liability immunity to individuals who apply bleeding control techniques when rendering emergency services.
Abstract
(SB0590 · 103rd Legislature) Torts: liability; immunity for individuals rendering emergency services who apply bleeding control; provide for. Amends 1963 PA 17 (MCL 691.1501 - 691.1507) by adding sec. 8. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0591’25 Latest action (2026-06-24): Referred To Second Reading
Why this matters
Extending Good Samaritan immunity to bleeding-control interventions lowers the legal risk for bystanders who use tourniquets or hemorrhage-control kits (e.g., Stop the Bleed) during emergencies, which proponents argue encourages earlier lay response before EMS arrival. The change operates in parallel to Michigan’s ambulance and EMS licensing regime, protecting untrained or off-duty responders rather than credentialed providers, and gains its legal effect only if the tie-barred SB 0591 also passes.