Committee lays over bill that would create civil cause of action for failing to render aid after shootings

House File 3468, introduced March 3 by Representative Hewitt, would add a civil cause of action tied to existing statutory duties to render reasonable assistance after a firearm discharge and was laid over for additional drafting and stakeholder input.

Representative Hewitt said the bill responds to cases where earlier activation of EMS might have improved survival and said the proposal would create a civil penalty (in addition to existing criminal duties for permit carriers) to encourage timely aid and 911 activation.

Sam Erickson, vice president of the Hennepin County Association of Paramedics and EMTs, supported the bill and told the committee that civilian activation of 911 and immediate bystander CPR/"stop the bleed" interventions improve survival and neurological outcomes. Erickson emphasized that trained emergency dispatchers can give life‑saving instructions to callers, and that rapid caller activation helps EMS identify needed resources.

Committee counsel explained that Minnesota Statutes section 609.662 currently requires both a person who discharges a firearm and a witness who knows or has reason to know the discharge caused bodily harm to investigate and render reasonable assistance; HF3468 would add an explicit civil path for injured persons to seek damages for a violation of that duty.

Members raised practical concerns about active‑shooter settings, the statutory definition of "reasonable assistance," affirmative defenses, and the potential chilling effect on bystanders. Representative Hewitt said the bill would be drafted further and invited law‑enforcement and medical stakeholders to help refine coverage. The bill was laid over at the author’s request for additional work.