What does the Good Samaritan law protect?

The Good Samaritan law primarily serves to protect citizens who voluntarily provide assistance to those in need during emergencies. This legal protection ensures that if an individual intervenes in a situation, such as performing CPR or providing first aid at the scene of an accident, they cannot be held liable for any unintended consequences or injuries that may result from their assistance, as long as their actions were performed in good faith and without gross negligence. The intent of these laws is to encourage bystanders to help during emergencies without the fear of legal repercussions.

While other options touch on important aspects of healthcare and legal protections, they do not align with the central purpose of the Good Samaritan law. For instance, malpractice suits relate specifically to professionals and their practice standards, privacy pertains to patients' health information, and criminal charges involve a different legal framework altogether. Thus, the protection offered by the Good Samaritan law is specifically about encouraging the public to assist in emergencies without the risk of being sued.