What is the Steve's law in Minnesota?

Asked by: Raymundo Mayer  |  Last update: April 4, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (43 votes)

Steve’s Law, passed in Minnesota in 2014, is a combined Good Samaritan and Naloxone law designed to reduce opioid overdose deaths by encouraging people to seek emergency help without fear of prosecution. It is named in memory of Steve Rummler, who died from an opioid overdose in 2011.

What is Steve's law in Minnesota?

Steve's Law is Minnesota's Good Samaritan and Naloxone Law. It provides legal protections to people who seek help in an overdose situation, as well as the person overdosing. Note: this information is solely based on Minnesota law.

Why is it called Steve's law?

"Steve's Law" is MN's Good Samaritan + Naloxone legislation. It is named after Steve Rummler, who passed from an opioid overdose in 2011. Steve's Law SAVES LIVES in Minnesota by: What is Steve's Law?

Can you get charged if someone overdoses?

The short answer is yes, you might face prison time. California prosecutors will generally pursue one of two charges overdose deaths: second-degree murder or involuntary manslaughter.

What is the 48 hour rule in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, the 48-Hour Rule requires that for arrests made without a warrant, a judge must find probable cause (PC) for continued detention within 48 hours of the arrest, including weekends and holidays, or the person must be released. This is distinct from the 36-Hour Rule, which demands a first appearance before a judge within 36 hours (excluding weekends/holidays) for all arrests, ensuring prompt judicial review, with the 48-hour rule often acting as the absolute maximum for warrantless detention before charges must be filed or the person released.
 

PSA - Steve's Law - Pt. 7

28 related questions found

What is the rule 69 in Minnesota?

Rule 69.

In aid of the judgment or execution, the judgment creditor, or successor in interest when that interest appears of record, may obtain discovery from any person, including the judgment debtor, in the manner provided by these rules.

Do you have to roll your window down for police in Minnesota?

Yes, in Minnesota, you should roll down your window for a police officer during a traffic stop, as it's a standard safety measure showing compliance, though you can often just crack it open for communication and to pass documents, as refusing can escalate the stop and lead to commands to exit the vehicle for officer safety. While not strictly required by a specific law, it's best practice for a smooth interaction; keep hands visible, stay calm, and follow instructions to avoid potential obstruction charges or forced removal from the car. 

Which drug causes the most overdose deaths?

Since 2018, fentanyl and its analogues have been responsible for most drug overdose deaths in the United States, causing over 71,238 deaths in 2021. Fentanyl constitutes the majority of all drug overdose deaths in the United States since it overtook heroin in 2018.

Are you legally obligated to save someone's life?

Generally, in the U.S. and many common law countries, there's no broad legal duty to rescue someone in peril, meaning you aren't usually required to help or call for aid, but exceptions exist where a duty arises, such as creating the danger, having a special relationship (parent/child, employer/employee), or if a state specifically mandates reporting or assistance (like in Minnesota, Rhode Island, Wisconsin for certain crimes/emergencies). Good Samaritan laws protect those who do try to help, encouraging rescues without fear of being sued for mistakes. 

Will life insurance pay out for an overdose?

Deaths resulting from illegal activities are not covered by most life insurance policies. These include drug overdoses, drunk driving accidents and more.

Is it illegal to have narcan in your car?

Narcan Is NOT Illegal Carrying Narcan (naloxone) is 100% legal and it can save a life. Whether it's in your car, your backpack, or your pocket, having Narcan does NOT mean you're in trouble or doing anything wrong.

What is the Good Samaritan law in Minnesota?

A person at the scene of an emergency who knows that another person is exposed to or has suffered grave physical harm shall, to the extent that the person can do so without danger or peril to self or others, give reasonable assistance to the exposed person.

What does Murphy's law really mean?

Murphy's Law is an adage stating, "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong," a humorous observation about life's tendency for unexpected problems to arise, though its original intent by engineer Edward A. Murphy Jr. was a call for thoroughness in design, encouraging engineers to anticipate failures to prevent them. It's often seen in everyday scenarios like toast falling butter-side down or a slow driver appearing when you're late, reflecting a cognitive bias where negative events are more memorable than positive ones. 

What is the #1 abused drug?

By far, alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the United States.

What is the 7 day opioid rule?

The "7-day opioid rule" is a common guideline, often mandated by state laws and insurers, limiting initial opioid prescriptions for acute pain to a maximum of seven days' supply to curb misuse, with exceptions for chronic pain, cancer, or palliative care, requiring documentation. This rule helps prevent overprescribing and addiction, especially for opioid-naïve patients, encouraging prescribers to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time needed, with subsequent prescriptions requiring re-evaluation. 

What is the funny law in Minnesota?

Minnesota has several quirky, often misunderstood laws, including prohibitions on teasing skunks, driving with dirty tires (in some cities), and holding greased pig contests, alongside popular myths like driving a red car down Lake Street or crossing state lines with a duck on your head, though many of these rumors lack specific legal backing. Some real, older laws that have been repealed or clarified involve limiting bingo days in nursing homes and rules against driving in neutral. 

Can you go to jail for not helping someone who is dying?

In the common law of most English-speaking countries, there is no general duty to come to the rescue of another. Generally, a person cannot be held liable for doing nothing while another person is in peril.

Can you get sued for trying to save someone's life?

Yes, you can technically be sued, but Good Samaritan laws in the U.S. protect most bystanders from liability for injuries that occur while providing reasonable emergency aid, encouraging people to help, though protection isn't absolute and requires acting in good faith, not with gross negligence or willful misconduct, and varies by state. 

Is drowning considered accidental death?

Drowning is usually considered an accidental death. The short answer: Yes, drowning is usually considered an accidental death for insurance purposes. But it's important you take policy specifics into account, including limitations and exclusions.

What state has the worst drug problems?

California had the highest number of drug overdose deaths in 2022 at 10,952. West Virginia has more drug overdose deaths per capita than any other state, with 80.9 out of every 100,000 residents dying from a drug overdose.

What addiction has the most deaths?

Alcohol and opioid addictions, particularly to fentanyl, currently drive the highest addiction-related death rates in the U.S., with opioids involved in the majority of overdose deaths and alcohol causing significant mortality from liver disease, accidents, and violence, though the severity varies by substance and time period, with fentanyl-related deaths soaring recently.
 

What happens if you take 7 pills at once?

Taking 7 pills at once can cause severe reactions, from increased side effects and drug interactions to a life-threatening overdose, with symptoms like confusion, difficulty breathing, seizures, vomiting, or an irregular heartbeat, requiring immediate emergency help (call 911) as it overwhelms the body's system, potentially causing organ failure or death. The specific danger depends heavily on the type of pills, but taking any number of pills beyond prescribed doses is a medical emergency. 

What does 1042 mean in police code?

Police code 10-42 (or just 1042) most commonly means "Ending Tour of Duty" or "End of Watch," signaling an officer is finishing their shift, but it can also mean "Dead Person" in some systems, with meanings varying by jurisdiction, although the "end of shift" meaning is common for ceremonial occasions like retirements or funerals. It's part of the "Ten-Code" system for quick radio communication, though some departments use "plain language" now. 

What to say when a cop asks you where you are going?

You have the right to remain silent. For example, you do not have to answer any questions about where you are going, where you are traveling from, what you are doing, or where you live. If you wish to exercise your right to remain silent, say so out loud.

What is the 36 hour rule in Minnesota?

Minnesota's 36-hour rule requires that a person arrested without a warrant be brought before a judge without unnecessary delay, and no later than 36 hours after arrest (excluding the day of arrest, Sundays, and legal holidays), or they must be released. This rule ensures prompt judicial review of the arrest, but because of the time exclusions, an individual can be held for several days, such as from Friday night until Monday or Tuesday, if arrests happen near weekends or holidays. If a judge isn't available within this timeframe, the person is released, as per this explanation from the MN Revisor's Office page.