S 80 New Jersey Senate · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Provides immunity from civil and criminal liability for rescue of animal from motor vehicle under inhumane conditions.

This bill provides legal protection for citizens who rescue animals from vehicles under dangerous conditions. It allows people to enter a vehicle without permission to save a domestic animal in immediate danger (e.g., extreme heat or cold) if they first contact rescue personnel and try to locate the owner, unless emergency circumstances prevent it. The law grants immunity from civil or criminal liability for property damage or animal injuries caused during the rescue, unless the rescuer acted recklessly or with willful misconduct. This directly affects ordinary citizens who witness animal distress in vehicles and choose to intervene. The immunity applies only when rescuers follow the specified procedures and report the situation to authorities immediately after the rescue.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 9, 2024 Last action Jan 9, 2024
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Jan 9, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

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