Washington recently became the 13th state to enact an alcohol-amnesty bill that allows minors to call 911 for medical emergencies without being charged or prosecuted for minor-in-possession.A few legislators expressed concern about this measure because, as state Rep. Brad Klippert, R-Kennewick was quoted in a Seattle Times story: “Minor consumption of alcohol is illegal. Now we’re going to excuse it and give them a license to do this? I’m not understanding why we would do that.”
Klippert’s opposition is understandable, but we refer him to the last sentence in the report for House Bill 1404: “Preserving life trumps an MIP charge.”
Another rational explanation comes from bill sponsor state Rep. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds: “We want young people to know that, when they call 911, the only thing that’s going to come is help. Not trouble.”
We agree. The first priority in a medical emergency is saving lives and preventing further injuries. If removing the fear of criminal prosecution will allow more 911 calls to be made — and there’s ample reason to believe that will be the case — then that’s a good thing.