( CNN ) -- New Jersey Gov . Chris Christie signed a law Thursday that encourages people to report drug overdoses without fear of being arrested , a measure he says will help save lives . `` Leaders of this state want them to save a life first , not worry about anything else thereafter , '' he said . `` First to save a life and in return , the deal we 'll make with them is we wo n't prosecute them , we wo n't arrest them . '' The Overdose Protection Act applies to those who seek medical help for themselves or someone else experiencing a drug overdose . The bill was passed 24-1 in the New Jersey Senate on Monday and will also eliminate legal action against those who administer overdose antidotes in life-threatening situations . Singer Jon Bon Jovi joined Christie for the law 's signing at a drug rehabilitation center in Paterson , New Jersey . Drug prevention advocates and family members of those who lost their lives to drug overdoses also attended . `` I hope that Gov . Christie 's actions here will cause other states to stand up and to pay attention and also to follow in his footsteps , '' Bon Jovi said . Bon Jovi 's daughter Stephanie reportedly overdosed on heroin in November 2012 in her upstate New York dorm . Misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled substance or the use of drug paraphernalia were later dropped because New York has a similar protection law . `` On behalf of those individuals and their families whose lives will be saved by this important legislation , I want to thank Gov . Christie and the New Jersey Legislature for passing the Good Samaritan bill , '' Bon Jovi said . According to Drug Policy Alliance , New Jersey joins 11 states and the District of Columbia with similar protection laws .
Overdose Protection Act applies to those who seek medical help for themselves or someone else . Jon Bon Jovi joins Gov . Chris Christie for the bill 's signing . Law also applies to those who administer overdose antidotes in life-threatening situations .