Minnesota has a Duty to Assist law was enacted in 1983. It mandates that anyone at the scene of an emergency who knows another person is exposed to grave physical harm must provide reasonable assistance, such as calling 911 or face a misdemeanor. Most states have Good Samaritan laws but this one goes further than protecting those who help, it requires helping.
27 He said, “That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.” 28 “Good answer!” said Jesus. “Do it and you’ll live.” 29 Looking for a loophole, he asked, “And just how would you define ‘neighbor’?” 30-32 Jesus answered by telling a story. “There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man. 33-35 “A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back.’ 36 “What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?” 37 “The one who treated him kindly,” the religion scholar responded, Jesus said, “Go and do the same.” (Luke 10: 27-37 MSG)
Minnesota created the duty to assist law to make it clear who is our neighbor. As with most laws, it came into being because of bystanders inaction.
Scripture tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves. This goes far beyond emergency situations. It is bringing meals to the sick or house bound, it is supporting food shelves, it is shoveling someone’s walk. There are countless ways we can love our neighbor without limiting it to a duty to assist.
How do you love your neighbor? Share your story here and breathe life and bring hope to others.