AARON LETZEISER: MEDICAL AMNESTY

     Every year Forbes magazine identifies “30 Under 30” leaders in various fields.  This year Aaron Letzeiser, ’12, was named an up and coming leader in “Law & Policy.”  As a student at MSU’s James Madison College, Letzeiser spearheaded legislation in Michigan to allow medical amnesty—state laws that give limited immunity to those seeking medical attention as a result of illegal actions (such as underage drinking).  “I first became interested in 2010, when I was a junior and was working as a legislative aide to a state senator in Lansing,” recalls Aaron, who then took a job as a legislative liaison with the Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU).  He was able to eventually see his work result in the passage of House Bill 4393, which Gov. Snyder signed into law on May 8, 2012.  “It’s not often that you get to start with an idea and move it through the whole legislative process,” says Aaron.  “I got a ton of support and a lot of guidance from MSU.”  Aaron has now founded the Medical Amnesty Initiative, the only nonprofit in the country dedicated to passing medical amnesty legislation nationally.  As of January 2014, medical amnesty legislation has been passed in 17 states and the District of Columbia.  “Our goal is 40 states by the end of 2014,” says Aaron, who relies on contributions from individuals as well as organizations, such as nurses associations and prosecutor groups.  “We’re using the same outline we used in Michigan,” says Aaron.  A native of Novi, Aaron came to MSU frequently to visit an older brother.  “We went to football and basketball games,” he recalls.  “I chose MSU because I was drawn to the structure of residential colleges, which make a big school fell small.  We lived, studied and ate at Case Hall, at least my freshman year, and that was very helpful.” 

# # #