PHOENIX — Acting less than 24 hours after legislative approval, Gov. Doug Ducey inked his approval Thursday to a measure designed to encourage people to rescue children and pets trapped in vehicles.
The new law, which takes effect Aug. 9, spells out that the owner of a vehicle can’t sue someone who breaks out a window to remove a minor or domestic animal which is in “imminent danger of suffering physical injury or death.”
Ducey, who called for such a law in his State of the State speech in January — at least for children — said it is important to save lives.
“With this bill, we are protecting Good Samaritans who take action to save a child or pet and sending a signal that breaking a car window should be the last consideration when someone’s life is on the line,” he said.
The proposal by Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, had a few hurdles to overcome.
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While it cleared the Senate without trouble, Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, refused to give it a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee he chairs.
Farnsworth contends there are already legal protections for those who save lives. But he also objected to having a law on the books that equate the life of an animal, even a pet, with the life of a human.
That forced sponsors to do an end-run around Farnsworth, attaching the provisions to another measure that did not need to go through his committee.
There are some restrictions.
To get immunity from a civil suit, the would-be rescuer must first notify police, medical personnel or, as appropriate, animal control officers. Then, after entering the vehicle, the person must remain on site until there is a response.
Rep. Eddie Farnsworth
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