Texas Senate Bill SB69

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

• Filed: 11/14/16

Caption

Relating to civil or criminal liability for leaving certain animals unattended in or removing certain individuals or animals from a motor vehicle.

Impact

The key provisions of SB69 include defining what constitutes a 'vulnerable individual' and a 'domestic animal', and stipulating that a person acting to remove these from a locked vehicle must first notify law enforcement. This legal shield may encourage bystanders to act in emergencies where individuals or animals are left in dangerous conditions, thereby potentially reducing incidents of heat stress and harm in unattended vehicles. Furthermore, the legislation is framed to ensure that local ordinances that are stricter than the state provisions are not invalidated, allowing municipalities to continue enforcing their own regulations where applicable.

Summary

Senate Bill 69 (SB69) seeks to establish guidelines around the civil and criminal liability involved when individuals remove vulnerable individuals or domestic animals from unattended vehicles. Specifically, the bill introduces a new chapter to the Civil Practice and Remedies Code and amends existing provisions in the Penal Code regarding the protection of these individuals and animals in motor vehicles. The bill aims to provide legal immunity for actions taken by good Samaritans who intervene in such situations to prevent imminent harm, provided that they meet certain conditions outlined in the legislation.

Contention

Discussions surrounding SB69 have highlighted some tension between concern for individual freedoms and the necessity of public safety. Proponents of the bill argue that it will protect animals and vulnerable individuals from harm, while critics have raised concerns about the potential for misuse. Opponents worry that allowing individuals to forcibly enter vehicles may lead to unnecessary damages or false interventions, potentially complicating law enforcement's ability to respond to genuine emergencies. The balance between protecting bystanders' rights to act and ensuring the safety of individuals and pets left in vehicles has been a central point of contention in legislative discussions.