Bill Text - HB1542 (2020)

Relative to children, vulnerable adults, and animals in hot vehicles.


Revision: Dec. 3, 2019, 11:14 a.m.

HB 1542 - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2020 SESSION

20-2501

08/05

 

HOUSE BILL 1542

 

AN ACT relative to children, vulnerable adults, and animals in hot vehicles.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Kenney, Straf. 6; Rep. Levesque, Straf. 4; Rep. Read, Rock. 17; Rep. Horrigan, Straf. 6; Rep. Burroughs, Carr. 1

 

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill allows a person to rescue a confined child, vulnerable adult, or animal endangered by extreme temperatures under certain conditions.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

20-2501

08/05

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty

 

AN ACT relative to children, vulnerable adults, and animals in hot vehicles.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  New Section; Liability Limited; Children, Vulnerable Adults, and Animals in Motor Vehicles.  Amend RSA 508 by inserting after section 12-d the following new section:

508:12-e  Liability Limited; Children, Vulnerable Adults, and Animals in Motor Vehicles.

I.  In this section, "vulnerable adult" means an adult who has the physical, mental, or emotional ability such that he or she is unable to manage personal, home, or financial affairs in his or her own best interest, or he or she is unable to act or unable to delegate responsibility to a responsible caretaker or caregiver.

II.  Any person may take action necessary to rescue a child, a vulnerable adult, or a confined animal endangered by extreme temperatures if:

(a)  Law enforcement has been contacted;

(b)  A witness is present; and

(c)  The individual reasonably believes at the time that assistance will not arrive in time to prevent the serious injury or death of the confined child, vulnerable adult, or animal.

III.  No person taking action under this section or under RSA 644:8-aa shall be liable for damage reasonably necessary to rescue the confined child, vulnerable adult, or animal.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.