Civil Immunity Bill “Good Samaritan Rule” (Washington)
H.B.1046
Provides civil immunity for rescuing at-risk companion animals and vulnerable people locked in cars.
Status
The Animal Legal Defense Fund supports this bill.
Sponsor: Mari Leavitt (D-28)
Cosponsors: Dan Bronoske (D-28), Sam Low (R-39), Greg Nance (D-23), Cindy Ryu (D-32), Mary Fosse (D-38), April Berg (D-44), Amy Walen (D-48), Lisa Callan (D-5), Joe Fitzgibbon (D-34), Gerry Pollet (D-46), and Strom Peterson (D-21)
Introduction Date: refiled December 11, 2024
Currently in Washington, only law enforcement may enter a car to rescue a companion animal.
The Washington legislature is considering a civil immunity bill, H.B.1046, which would help protect good Samaritans who rescue at-risk companion animals and vulnerable people locked in cars.
This bill would help save animals in instances where waiting for law enforcement to arrive before rescue would be too late. Civil immunity would be granted provided the rescuer “Has a good faith and reasonable belief, based upon the known circumstances, that entry into the motor vehicle is necessary because the vulnerable person or domestic animal is in imminent danger of suffering harm.” The bill also requires the rescuer to determine either that the motor vehicle is locked or that there is no reasonable method for the animal to exit the vehicle without assistance; contact law enforcement before or immediately after; uses no more force than necessary; and remains with the vulnerable person or animal until first responders arrive.
If passed, Washington will join several states with similar laws, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Why is this legislation important?
Every summer, as temperatures rise, so does the danger of companion animals dying because they are carelessly left in a hot car. While humans cool themselves by relying on an extensive system of sweat glands and evaporation, dogs and other animals have a harder time staying cool, leaving them extremely vulnerable to heatstroke.
Parked cars quickly trap the sun’s heat. Even on a day when it’s a mild 70 degrees outside, the temperature inside a vehicle with all the windows closed can hit 89 degrees in just 10 minutes, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. On a hot day, the temperature inside a closed car can reach as high as 114 degrees in the same amount of time. Leaving the windows open a crack doesn’t eliminate the danger of heatstroke or death.
This lifesaving bill will protect good Samaritans from liability when they step in to help animals and people in need.
For more information about animal protection legislation in Washington and opportunities to take action for animals, visit aldf.org/washington.
