Law shields teens who report alcohol-related emergencies

Even years after his death, Brady Caipa continues to impact the community.

The 17-year-old Bishop Gorman High School student, who was known for his kindness, died from acute alcohol intoxication and asphyxia after attending a teen party in October 2011.

With the help of peer Rose Asaf, Brady’s legacy of helping others will live on through a law named in his honor.

“This is a bill that was created by the youth for the youth,” said Brady’s mother, Kimberly Caipa. “Brady was a terrific kid that always helped others, and this bill will allow him to keep doing that. It’s quite a legacy for him.”

Senate Bill 464, known as Brady’s Bill, was signed into law May 29 by Gov. Brian Sandoval.

The bill provides “an exemption from criminal liability for consumption or possession of alcohol if a person under 21 years of age requests emergency medical assistance for himself, herself or another person in certain circumstances.”

The exemption also applies to a person making the request on behalf of another if the individual believes the person needing assistance is younger than 21; is the first person to request assistance; remains with the person requiring assistance; and cooperates with medical and health care providers and law enforcement.

“The original law didn’t intend to say this, but it basically said, ‘Even if you’re in danger and need medical help, we will still penalize you if you seek help for consuming alcohol,’ ” Asaf said. “That’s not the message we want to send teens. People’s lives should always come before cracking down on the law, so this bill shifts the focus off of minor delinquency and onto the safety and well-being of people.”

Asaf said she was touched by Brady’s story despite not knowing him personally. She attended Gorman the year after his death.

“I remember everyone shared stories and memories on the anniversary of his death,” she said. “Just by the way everyone talked about him, it was easy to feel like you knew him. His death touched me because it could have happened to anyone, and it could have easily been prevented if someone just called for help.”

As a sophomore, Asaf drafted Brady’s Bill as part of an essay to apply to the Nevada Youth Legislature. She was accepted and represented Senate District 18, which lies in northwest Las Vegas.

“The purpose of the legislation is to give teens a voice since we can’t vote,” Asaf said. “A lot of the time, the wishes and needs and desires of younger constituents are overlooked, so it’s nice to be able to represent what teens of Nevada need.”

While the youth group contemplated which two bills to propose to the Nevada Legislature, Asaf dug up her essay on Brady. After about eight hours, Asaf said the group agreed to support Brady’s Bill.

“I didn’t contact (Kimberly Caipa) until I knew it was one of the bills we were going to present,” Asaf said. “It was difficult at first because it’s a little intimidating talking to her about Brady, but she completely understood. She’s a phenomenal and brave woman, and I’m lucky to have had her support throughout this.”

In March, Asaf traveled with the Nevada Youth Legislature and presented the two bills in Carson City.

“It wasn’t a day about me. It was a day about Brady,” Asaf said. “I was nervous, but it wasn’t because I was nervous to be in front of the senators. I was nervous because I hoped they understood why it was an important issue; I was nervous that the message wouldn’t be appropriately reciprocated.”

Brady’s Bill was passed by the Senate with a 21-0 vote April 15 and by the Assembly in a 34-8 vote May 22.

“I am confident this legislation will help prevent future tragedy and save young lives,” Sandoval said in a May 30 Las Vegas Review-Journal story. “Nevada’s young men and women should never think twice before making the responsible decision to seek medical assistance when a friend is in trouble.”

Kimberly Caipa said the bill’s success was bittersweet for her family. She has two children who were older than Brady and one who is younger.

“It was an emotional process, but getting it signed into law was incredible,” she said. “Brady’s Bill will make a difference and save lives.”

Although the bill is aimed to help teens who consume alcohol, Asaf said it does not support or encourage underage drinking.

“It would be great to eliminate teen drinking, but we can’t just wave a magic wand and have everything be perfect,” Asaf said. “Rather than trying to stop the inevitable, we made the law safer for those who do make that decision to drink.”

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/bradysbill.