§ 15A-503. Police assistance to persons arrested while unconscious or semiconscious.
§15A‑503. Police assistance to persons arrested while unconscious orsemiconscious.
(a) Whenever a law‑enforcementofficer arrests a person who is unconscious, semiconscious, or otherwiseapparently suffering from some disabling condition, and who is unable toprovide information on the causes of the condition, the officer should make areasonable effort to determine if the person arrested is wearing a bracelet ornecklace containing the Medic Alert Foundation's emergency alert symbol toindicate that the person suffers from diabetes, epilepsy, a cardiac condition,or any other form of illness which would cause a loss of consciousness. If sucha symbol is found indicating that the person being arrested suffers from one ofthose conditions, the officer must make a reasonable effort to have appropriatemedical care provided.
(b) Failure of a law‑enforcementofficer to make a reasonable effort to discover an emergency alert symbol, asrequired by this section, does not by itself establish negligence of the officer,but may be considered along with other evidence to determine if the officertook reasonable precautions to ascertain the emergency medical needs of theperson in his custody.
(c) A person who isprovided medical care under the provisions of this section is liable for thereasonable costs of that care unless he is indigent.
(d) Repealed by SessionLaws 1975, c. 818, s. 1. (1975, c. 306, s. 1; c. 818, s. 1.)