Variations in Protection Provisions Among State Medical Amnesty Laws

Studies indicate that a leading reason young people do not seek medical assistance for alcohol-related emergencies is worry of "getting in trouble". To assuage these fears, over 30 states and numerous universities have passed medical amnesty laws. However, there are variations in protections between states. Objectives: This study aimed to (1) assess students' knowledge of Nevada's medical amnesty law; (2) knowledge of alcohol poisoning indicators; (3) whether variations in the law's coverage relates to differences in intention to seek medical attention; (4) whether knowledge of the law is associated with intent to seek medical attention; and (5) whether attitudes, perceived norms, and personal agency are associated with intent to seek medical attention for an alcohol-related emergency, specifically alcohol poisoning. Method: This study surveyed 564 graduate and undergraduate students aged 18 and older from the University of Nevada, Reno. Results: The results suggest that that students were severely undereducated about the state's medical amnesty law. Having a medical amnesty law at all is related to increased intent to call for medical attention in an alcohol poisoning situation. Further, components of the integrated behavior model (i.e. attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived personal agency) are associated with increased intent to call for medical attention. Conclusions: The presence of medical amnesty laws versus a law providing no protections for underage drinkers is positively related to an individual's intention to seek medical attention in an alcohol-related emergency. Educational implications and recommendations for policy implementation are discussed.