Carpino’s Good Samaritan Law Closer to Passage

HARTFORD— Rep. Christie Carpino, (Cromwell, Portland) is proud to announce that a bill she proposed, HB 6720, An Act Concerning Immunity For Those Entering Cars to Aid Children, was passed in the legislature’s transportation committee, March 18.

The concept of this bill is to provide “good samaritan” protection to any individual who enters the vehicle of another to rescue a child that he or she believes is in imminent danger.

This law would provide immunity for ‘good samaritans,’ but according to the bill language, the individual must not use more force than is necessary, and must wait with the child until law enforcement or emergency services arrive

Chip Darius from Cromwell firm, Safety Priority Consultants, LLC, has been a major proponent and advocate for this bill since its conception. He said he is thrilled that it is on its way to becoming a law.

“People need to act quickly to save children from cars. Fear of being sued delays the rescue. This bill will give people confidence to do the right thing, and lives will be saved in Connecticut,” said Darius.

Rep. Carpino said she is pleased with traction of this bill. She said the bill purposefully does not specify between hot and cold seasons because children are in danger when they are alone in vehicles regardless of temperature.

In July, a Ridgefield toddler died after being left alone for hours in a vehicle.

“This happens too often in our state. A child was left in a car on a freezing cold day last month in Southington. Our hope is that this legislation will empower people to save children in harm’s way. And keeping this issue relevant and in the public eye may help remind parents of their responsibilities,” she said.

Carpino said she modeled this bill after similar Tennessee ‘good samaritan’ legislation that went into effect in 2014.

HB 6720 is a few votes away from becoming a law, and first must be passed in the Judiciary Committee, of which Carpino is a member, before being sent to the House floor.