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House panel votes to advance bill allowing limited private entry when someone faces imminent serious harm
Summary
The House Judiciary Committee voted to give House Bill 1299 a “do pass” recommendation after brief discussion about allowing a private person to break into a building to stop imminent serious bodily harm; the motion carried 10-1 with three members absent.
The House Judiciary Committee voted to give House Bill 1299 a recommendation to pass after a short discussion on whether a private person should be permitted to break into a building to stop imminent serious bodily injury or death.
The committee’s chair, Chairman Clamine, noted Representative Olsen carried the bill. Representative Schneider moved for a “do pass” recommendation; Representative Van Winkle seconded. The roll-call vote resulted in a 10-1 margin in favor, with three members absent, and the committee recorded the motion as carried.
Supporters described the bill as narrowly focused on extreme situations in which a private person, facing imminent risk of serious bodily injury or death to someone inside, could enter a structure to attempt a citizen’s arrest or rescue. Committee members briefly raised procedural and liability concerns — one member said forcibly breaking down a door was a “good way to get sued” — but no formal amendments were proposed during the discussion and the committee moved the bill forward.
The bill will continue through the legislative process with Representative Olsen remaining the bill carrier.
Votes at a glance: House Bill 1299 — Do pass recommendation (motion by Representative Schneider; second by Representative Van Winkle). Vote: 10 yes, 1 no; 3 absent.
