The Architect and Engineer Good Samaritan Amendment Act of 2026 aims to provide limited civil liability protections for licensed architects and professional engineers who voluntarily assist during life-threatening emergencies in the built environment. The bill specifies that these professionals will not be liable for civil damages, provided they act in good faith, without compensation, and at the direction or approval of a federal or District official during a declared public emergency or within 90 days after its conclusion. Additionally, they must have completed a training program based on the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services Safety Assessment Program.

To implement this, the bill introduces new definitions and sections into the District of Columbia Official Code, specifically adding definitions for "built environment" and creating sections that outline the conditions under which architects and engineers can operate without fear of liability. The new legal language includes the establishment of sections 47-2853.69 and 47-2853.134, which detail the limited civil liability for architects and engineers, respectively, in the context of emergency assistance.