Committee hears bill to grant civil immunity for entering vehicles to rescue vulnerable people or pets

The Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee heard House Bill 1046 on Jan. 17, a proposal to grant civil immunity to people who enter motor vehicles — by force or otherwise — to remove a vulnerable person or a domestic animal under specified circumstances.

John Brzezinski, staff to the committee, summarized the bill’s criteria. To qualify for immunity, a person must: (1) determine the vehicle is locked or no reasonable option exists for the vulnerable person or animal to exit without assistance; (2) have a good-faith, reasonable belief based on known circumstances that entry is necessary because the vulnerable person or animal is in imminent danger of harm; (3) ensure law enforcement is notified or 911 is called before entering the vehicle or immediately thereafter; (4) use no more force than necessary to enter the vehicle and remove the vulnerable person or animal; and (5) remain with the vulnerable person or animal in a safe location reasonably close to the…