On Thursday, Jan. 28, the Florida Senate approved a bill that provides legal protections to anyone who uses “reasonable force” to break into a hot car to rescue any animal or person left unattended. This bill means that people who see an animal or human locked in a hot car could break a window in order to rescue the victim without facing any legal action should the car owner want to sue for damages.
The bill came into play after several instances where numerous pets and even children died after being left in cars in the hot Florida sun for too long. The bill, however, will only protect those Good Samaritans as long as they report the break in to authorities and remain with the vehicles until they arrive at the scene.
The upper chamber approved this bill 38-0 after the House unanimously voted on the bill; now the bill is in the hands of Governor Rick Scott. If Scott grants his signature, the bill will instantly become a law.
Republican Representative Dana Young sponsored the bill, which was also co-sponsored by Broward Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz. Former Senate Majority Leader Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto carried the companion bill.
Rep. Young stated that her bill “appears to be the most comprehensive in the nation in extending liability protection not only to rescuing children, but to rescuing elderly persons, disabled adults and pets.”