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Release: Sen. Parson Praises Passage of Legislation to Help Prevent Car Heatstroke Deaths in Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY—Senator Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, today commended his colleagues in the General Assembly for passing legislation he carried aimed at preventing the deaths of children left unattended in vehicles.

House Bill 1649, known as the “Rescue the Forgotten” law, provides immunity for civil liability for anyone who offers assistance to children trapped in a motor vehicle.

The measure is meant to combat deaths from heatstroke when a child is locked inside a vehicle. An estimated 38 children a year die from being locked in hot cars. Since 1998, more than 600 have died from heatstroke; of those, more than 70 percent were children under the age of two.

“The tragedy is these deaths are easily preventable if parents and childcare providers follow the simple advice of never leaving a child unattended in a locked car under any circumstances,” said Sen. Parson. “This measure would let good Samaritans intervene in deadly situations without fear of being sued. It’s a common-sense law that will hopefully prevent these horrific incidents from happening.”

The proposal would allow a passerby to intervene without worrying about being held liable for any damages they might cause to the vehicle while rescuing the child. The measure does require certain criteria be met. The rescuer has to stay with the child, contact emergency services and not use excessive force while removing the minor.

Summer months pose a much greater risk for heatstroke deaths. The temperature in a locked vehicle can climb by 20 degrees within 10 minutes. Children’s biology makes the situation even more perilous. A child’s temperature can increase three to five times faster than an adults.

The measure is now on the governor’s desk, awaiting approval.

For more information on Sen. Parson’s legislative efforts, visit his official Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/parson.