Samaritan legislation lacks true spirit of bill

The Legislature is currently considering what has been dubbed the "good Samaritan bill." The bill, if passed would impose penalties of up to $1000 and up to 30 days in jail for people who fail to help others in need.

More specifically, the bill would require that people call the appropriate authorities if others are visibly injured or in trouble.

It is commendable to help others in trouble, but the government cannot legislate ethics.

The subjective nature of such a bill is what kills the logic of it. If someone is in trouble, and no one notices, will they be liable? If a crowd of people notice and no one calls, will they all be penalized? If someone notices, but lacks the ability to call authorities for whatever reason, can they be punished? If an observer is paralyzed with fear or freezes up with nervousness, will they be sentenced?

All of these factors are difficult to negotiate; these all become liabilities in dealing with the legislation of ethics. This is why such legislation should be dropped.