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Committee hears bill to protect rescuers who break into cars to save people or pets
Summary
The Law & Justice Committee on March 13 heard public testimony on House Bill 1046, a proposal from Representative Levitt to grant civil immunity to people who damage a motor vehicle while removing a vulnerable person or domestic animal.
The Law & Justice Committee on March 13 heard public testimony on House Bill 1046, a proposal from Representative Levitt to grant civil immunity to people who damage a motor vehicle while removing a vulnerable person or domestic animal.
Staff counsel Patrick Moore summarized the measure for the committee: “House Bill 1046 grants immunity to civil liability for damage done to motor vehicles caused by people rescuing vulnerable persons or domestic animals from those vehicles.” Moore listed five conditions the bill would require: a rescuer must determine there is no reasonable way for the person or animal to exit without help; reasonably believe in good faith entry is necessary to prevent imminent harm; promptly contact emergency services; use no more force than necessary; and remain with the rescued person or animal in a safe place near the vehicle until services arrive.
Representative Levitt, the bill’s sponsor, told the committee the measure is intended to protect both people and animals in hot cars and other emergencies. “This bill really protects animals and distressed persons,” Levitt said, noting similar laws exist in more than 30 other states and emphasizing that the bill “doesn’t allow anyone to just go in and break open a car and claim an animal was in there and steal property.”
Two animal-welfare witnesses urged passage. Amanda Fox, identified as executive director of Bridal Rights Initiative, described Washington’s weather and emergency-response gaps and argued the bill would reduce deaths of animals and people: “We can’t count on [police] to arrive within the 60 or a hundred and 20 seconds necessary to save these vulnerable beings from the heat,” Fox said. Kat Kelly, testifying for the Bridal Legal Defense Fund, said the measure would let bystanders act “without fear of legal repercussions provided they follow the common-sense steps outlined in the bill.”
No formal action was taken; the committee closed public testimony on House Bill 1046 and moved to other bills. The hearing record shows public comment in favor and opposition was accepted and closed without a vote at this session.
