B 26-0173 — Architect and Engineer Good Samaritan Amendment Act of 2025

ENGROSSEDENROLLED ORIGINAL AAN BILLACT 3_________________ 26-173 5 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 8 _________________ To amend Subchapter I-B of Chapter 28 of Title 47 of the District of Columbia Official Code to provide limited civil liability, absent gross negligence or willful misconduct, to licensed architectsarchitects, professional engineers, and professional engineersland surveyors who, in good faith and without compensation, render assistance at the scene ofof, or in connection withwith, a life-threateninglife- threatening emergency in the built environment, at the direction or request ofof, or with the approval ofof, a federal or District official, during a period of a public emergency declared by the Mayor or within 90 days following the end of such period at the scene of the life-threateninglife- threatening emergency in the built environment.

(a) Section 47-2853.01 is amended by adding a new paragraph (1A) is added to read as follows:

“§“47-2853.69. 47-2853.69.

Limited civil liability for voluntary practice of architecture at scene of life-threateninglife- threatening emergency in the built environment.”.

“Any person with a valid license as an architect shall not be liable, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, for any civil damages for acts or omissions resulting from rendering assistance through the practice of architecture at the scene ofof, or in connection withwith, a life-threatening emergency in the built environment;

ENROLLED ORIGINAL “(1) During a public emergency declared by the Mayor pursuant to § 7-2304(a), or within 90 days following the end of the public emergency declared by the Mayor pursuant to § 7-2304(a)7-2304(a), at the scene of the life-threatening emergency in the built environment;

“(3) At the direction or request ofof, or with the approval ofof, a federal or District official reasonably believed by the person to be acting in an official capacity;

and “(4) After having completed a training program that uses the California Governor’s Office Of Emergency Services Safety Assessment Program to provide licensed architects the ability to assist local governments in safety evaluation of theirthe built environment in the aftermath of a life-threatening emergency in the built environment.”.

(b)(c) Part JH is amended as follows:

ENGROSSED ORIGINAL (1) The table of contents is amended by adding a new section designation to read as follows:

“§“47-2853.115. 47-2853.134.

Limited civil liability for voluntary practice of engineeringland surveying at scene of life-threatening emergency in the built environment.”.

(2) A new section 47-2853.115 is added to read as follows:

Ҥ 47-2853.115.

Limited civil liability for voluntary practice of land surveying at scene of life-threatening emergency in the built environment.

“Any person with a valid license as a professional land surveyor shall not be liable, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, for any civil damages for acts or omissions resulting from rendering assistance through the practice of land surveying at the scene of, or in connection with, a life-threatening emergency in the built environment;

provided, that the person acted:

“(1) During a public emergency declared by the Mayor pursuant § 7-2304(a), or within 90 days following the end of the public emergency declared by the Mayor pursuant to § 7- 2304(a), at the scene of the life-threatening emergency in the built environment;

“(2) In good faith and without compensation;

“(3) At the direction or request of, or with the approval of, a federal or District official reasonably believed by the person to be acting in an official capacity;

and “(4) After having completed a training program that uses the California Governor’s Office Of Emergency Services Safety Assessment Program to provide licensed professional land surveyors the ability to assist local governments in safety evaluation of the built environment in the aftermath of a life-threatening emergency in the built environment.”.

(d) Part J is amended as follows:

(1) The table of contents is amended by adding a new section designation to read as follows:

“47-2853.134.

Limited civil liability for voluntary practice of engineering at scene of life- threatening emergency in the built environment.”.

Ҥ47-2853.134.Ҥ 47-2853.134.

ENROLLED ORIGINAL “Any person with a valid license as a professional engineer shall not be liable, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, for any civil damages for acts or omissions resulting from rendering assistance through the practice of engineering at the scene ofof, or in connection withwith, a life-threatening emergency in the built environment;

“(1) During a public emergency declared by the Mayor pursuant § 7-2304(a), or within 90 days following the end of the public emergency declared by the Mayor pursuant to § 7- 2304(a)2304(a), at the scene of the life-threatening emergency in the built environment;

and “(4) After having completed a training program that uses the California Governor’s Office Of Emergency Services Safety Assessment Program to provide licensed professional engineers the ability to assist local governments in safety evaluation of theirthe built environment in the aftermath of a life-threatening emergency in the built environment.”.

This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto),veto) and a 30-day period of congressional review ENROLLED ORIGINAL as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat.

___________________________________ Chairman Council of the District of Columbia _________________________________ Mayor District of Columbia 4