Charleston Leader

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), recently cosponsored the bipartisan Samaritan Efforts to Ensure Key Health Emergency and Life-saving Protections (SEEK HELP) Act. The legislation, which was led by U.S. Senators John Kennedy (R-La.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), aims to provide Americans with life-saving treatment during an opioid overdose.

“The SEEK HELP Act will help prevent future opioid overdose deaths by changing the law to encourage good Samaritans to step in and help,” stated Ranking Member Capito. “As Ranking Member of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to advocate for policies that help fight the opioid crisis at every level and put all West Virginians and Americans on a path to reaching their full potential.”

The SEEK HELP Act includes provisions such as creating civil liability protections for individuals who administer an opioid reversal drug, offering criminal immunity to those who seek medical help for someone experiencing an opioid overdose, and requiring the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a public awareness campaign about these liability protections to encourage more Americans to seek medical assistance in drug overdose situations.

In support of the bill, Senator Capito emphasized her commitment to combatting the opioid crisis and ensuring that individuals have access to the necessary resources for treatment and recovery.

The full text of the SEEK HELP Act can be accessed for further details.

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