Mass. Gen. Laws » Part I Title XV Chapter 94C
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 94C, § 34A (2026)

Immunity from prosecution under Sec. 34 or finding of violation of condition of probation, pretrial release or parole for persons seeking medical assistance for self or other experiencing drug-related overdose

✓ text as last checked Sept. 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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Section 34A. (a) A person who, in good faith, seeks medical assistance for someone experiencing a drug-related overdose shall not be charged or prosecuted for possession of a controlled substance under section 34 or found in violation of a condition of probation or pretrial release as determined by a court or a condition of parole, as determined by the parole board if the evidence for the charge of possession of a controlled substance or violation was gained as a result of the seeking of medical assistance.

(b) A person who experiences a drug-related overdose and is in need of medical assistance and, in good faith, seeks such medical assistance, or is the subject of such a good faith request for medical assistance, shall not be charged or prosecuted for possession of a controlled substance under said section 34 or found in violation of a condition of probation or pretrial release as determined by a court or a condition of parole, as determined by the parole board if the evidence for the charge of possession of a controlled substance or violation was gained as a result of the overdose and the need for medical assistance.

(c) The act of seeking medical assistance for someone who is experiencing a drug-related overdose may be used as a mitigating factor in a criminal prosecution under the Controlled Substance Act, 1970 P.L. 91–513, 21 U.S.C. section 801, et seq.

(d) Nothing contained in this section shall prevent anyone from being charged with trafficking, distribution or possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

(e) A person acting in good faith may receive a naloxone prescription, possess naloxone and administer naloxone to an individual appearing to experience an opiate-related overdose.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2017–2023 · leading case: Noble v. State, 189 A.3d 807 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. 2018).
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Noble v. State, 189 A.3d 807 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. 2018). “10 (B) (2018); Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 94C, § 34A (b) (2018); Mich.”
Commonwealth v. David M. Strachan., No. 22-P-0517 (Mass. App. Ct. Oct. 20, 2023). · cites it 9× “The Commonwealth argued that the defendant was not 1 While en route to the hospital, the defendant was revived. 2 immune because the call for medical assistance was initiated by a police officer.”
Commonwealth v. Wallace, No. AC 15-P-1262 (Mass. App. Ct. July 28, 2017). “2011-00300 (the 2011 case) on two counts: (1) possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance, 3 subsequent offense, G. L. c. 94C, § 34A(d); and (2) a drug violation in a school or park zone, G.”
Jordan Darrell Morris v. Commonwealth of Virginia, 886 S.E.2d 722 (Va. Ct. App. 2023). “11 (B)(2)(a)(viii) (“who is experiencing a drug overdose”); Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 94C, § 34A(b) (“who experiences a drug-related overdose”); N.”
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 94C, § 34A(b): 1 case
Jordan Darrell Morris v. Commonwealth of Virginia, 886 S.E.2d 722 (Va. Ct. App. 2023). “11 (B)(2)(a)(viii) (“who is experiencing a drug overdose”); Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 94C, § 34A(b) (“who experiences a drug-related overdose”); N.”
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 94C, § 34A(d): 1 case
Commonwealth v. Wallace, No. AC 15-P-1262 (Mass. App. Ct. July 28, 2017). “2011-00300 (the 2011 case) on two counts: (1) possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance, 3 subsequent offense, G. L. c. 94C, § 34A(d); and (2) a drug violation in a school or park zone, G.”
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