Law enforcement: facilitating medical care

Officers may not deny, delay, obstruct, or fail to facilitate requested or available medical evaluation or treatment when it is safe and reasonable to provide it. Violations can lead to administrative discipline, including suspension or termination.

What the law does ​

• Prohibits law enforcement from blocking or failing to facilitate medical care for an individual under its control when a willing medical professional has been requested or is present and care is safe and reasonable.
• Requires law enforcement to document within 72 hours why care was denied or delayed when a willing medical professional was present, unless documentation would compromise an ongoing investigation or officer safety.
• Requires the documentation to include the reason, incident details, and available evidence such as body-camera footage, radio transmissions, or reports.
• Requires reports to go to the relevant civilian oversight body or the Office of the Inspector General.
• Excludes people in the custody of or detained by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Who it affects ​

• People under federal, state, or local law-enforcement control who need medical evaluation or treatment.
• Law-enforcement officers and agencies.
• Medical professionals willing to provide care.

Context ​

The law applies to federal law enforcement only to the extent federal law permits.