New law provides protection for hot car rescues
A new law signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson allows for people to break into a vehicle if there is a vulnerable person or pet left in the car. There are five criteria to ensure the rescuer will have no legal repercussions. The criteria are as follows: make sure the animal or person can’t leave, make sure the person or pet is in immediate danger, call 911 before breaking into the car, cause minimal damage and stay with the pet or person until first responders arrive.
COURTESY PHOTO/JUSTIN CHOI/PEXELS
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Legislature has passed House Bill 1046, which grants immunity from civil liability for those who forcibly enter a locked vehicle to rescue a vulnerable person or domestic pet. The bill, passed by both the House and Senate in April and signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson, is set to take effect July 27, 2025.
Defined in the bill, vulnerable persons include minors and individuals whose ability to care for themselves is impaired due to various disabilities or the infirmities of aging. Domestic animals specifically refer to pets such as dogs and cats. The term does not include livestock or other farm animals.
Kyle Foreman, public information officer for the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, emphasized the necessity of public vigilance as temperatures rise.
“As temperatures get hotter across the Columbia Basin, law enforcement agencies usually experience a rise in calls for services about pets or children left in vehicles,” he said. “In Grant County during the peak of summer, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise quickly.”
Ephrata Police Department Chief Erik Koch said the department often assists with children or animals locked in vehicles. He said he has responded to four children locked in cars in the past year, he said, usually reported by the child’s caregiver. He also said there were around 18 dogs left in vehicles called Ephrata PD by concerned citizens.
“Of the pets left in vehicles, it is very rare that a person breaks a window to rescue a pet,” Koch said. “I would guess if a person saw a vulnerable person or pet in true distress, that person would do what is necessary to save the life, regardless of civil liability. It’ll be interesting to see if the Ephrata Police Department receives an increase of broken window complaints after HB 1046 goes into effect July 27, 2025.”
Under this law, individuals contemplating a rescue must meet five criteria to qualify for immunity from civil liability. These include determining that the vehicle is locked or otherwise secured, possessing a good faith belief that the vulnerable person or pet is in imminent danger, notifying law enforcement or calling 911 before entering the vehicle, using only the necessary force to gain entry, and remaining with the individual or animal until help arrives.
Foreman noted that the Grant County Sheriff’s Office will monitor the potential impact of the new law on public behavior regarding rescues.
“As long as the five criteria for immunity are met, a person will not face civil action for damages when entering a vehicle to rescue a vulnerable person or pet,” he said. “One trend to watch is if there is an increase in public-initiated rescues of vulnerable humans and pets from inside vehicles.”
Although House Bill 1046 provides essential protections, it also clarifies that it does not condone vandalism or theft. Foreman stressed that the criteria must be met to ensure responsible and justifiable actions in such emergency situations.
“The bill does not create an excuse or defense for someone to break a car window to steal the car or its contents,” Foreman said. “The five criteria for immunity must be present.”
