Sandifer’s Bill to help save Children from Hot Cars passes House and now moves to Senate

Rep. Bill Sandifer recently introduced a bill that would help bystanders avoid legal liability for rescuing endangered children or vulnerable adults from hot cars. That bill has unanimously passed the House, after gaining many sponsors, and moves to the Senate this week. Sandifer says his bill, H.3145, is designed to raise people’s awareness that they have the right knock out a car window to rescue child or disabled adult who is in imminent danger because of the heat. “If we can save one life, then our work to pass this bill is worth it,” Sandifer said. “We’re trying to take the liability issue away, so people are encouraged to take action when they come upon a dangerous situation. In many cases, people are afraid to get involved because they fear a lawsuit, but in a hot car, it’s only a few minutes between life and death.” While the bill is designed to protect Good Samaritans from being sued, it includes several specific provisions for when a car window can be broken. First, a bystander must determine that the vehicle is locked and there is no reasonable alternate method for the child or vulnerable adult to exit. Second, he or she must have a good faith belief that someone inside is in imminent danger of suffering harm and must use a reasonable amount of force to enter. Lastly, the bystander must contact local or state law enforcement or emergency service personnel and stay with the minor or vulnerable adult in a safe location until an emergency responder arrives. The emergency responder must place a notice on the vehicle about the location of the rescued minor or vulnerable adult. Ten unattended S.C. children have died from overheating in cars since 1997, according to statistics from the Kansas City-based advocacy group KidsandCars.org. Nationwide, 31 children died from overheating in cars last year, including three in South Carolina. Sandifer says that his goal is to have the bill signed into law before hot weather arrives this year. Tennessee has a similar law and three other states are considering similar measures. Sandifer, who lives in Seneca, represents Oconee County’s District 2 in the S.C. House. He recently was elected for a fourth term to chair the House Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee, one of six standing committees.