SB2277 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 16075 SLF 31194 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
SB2277

Introduced 1/10/2018, by Sen. Michael Connelly

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

510 ILCS 70/7.2 new

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that a person is immune from criminal liability for criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to vehicles resulting from his or her forcible entry into a vehicle and from civil liability for property damage if the person: determines the vehicle is locked or there is otherwise no reasonable method for the animal to exit the vehicle; has a good faith belief that forcible entry into the vehicle is necessary because the animal is in imminent danger of suffering harm if not immediately removed from the vehicle, and based upon the circumstances known to the person at the time, the belief is a reasonable one; has made a good faith effort to contact a 9-1-1 emergency telephone system operator, law enforcement, or the fire department, and if contact is not possible prior to forcibly entering the vehicle, the person makes contact as soon as possible after forcibly entering the vehicle; makes a good a faith effort to place a notice on the vehicle's windshield with the person's contact information, the reason entry was made, the location of the animal, and the fact that authorities have been notified; remains with the animal in a safe location until law enforcement or emergency responders arrive; and uses no more force than necessary to enter the vehicle to remove the animal. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning animals.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Humane Care for Animals Act is amended by adding Section 7.2 as follows:

(510 ILCS 70/7.2 new)

Sec. 7.2. Persons removing an animal from a locked vehicle exempt from criminal and civil liability.

(a) In this Section, "harm" means injury or death.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this Section, a person is immune from criminal liability for criminal damage to property under Section 21-1 of the Criminal Code of 2012 and criminal trespass to vehicles under Section 21-2 of the Criminal Code of 2012 resulting from his or her forcible entry into a vehicle and from civil liability for property damage if the person:

(1) determines the vehicle is locked or there is otherwise no reasonable method for the animal to exit the vehicle;

(2) has a good faith belief that forcible entry into the vehicle is necessary because the animal is in imminent danger of suffering harm if not immediately removed from the vehicle, and based upon the circumstances known to the person at the time, the belief is a reasonable one;

(3) has made a good faith effort to contact a 9-1-1 emergency telephone system operator, law enforcement, or the fire department, and if contact is not possible prior to forcibly entering the vehicle, the person makes contact as soon as possible after forcibly entering the vehicle;

(4) makes a good a faith effort to place a notice on the vehicle's windshield with the person's contact information, the reason entry was made, the location of the animal, and the fact that authorities have been notified;

(5) remains with the animal in a safe location until law enforcement or emergency responders arrive; and

(6) uses no more force than necessary to enter the vehicle to remove the animal.

(c) Nothing in this Section shall effect the person's criminal or civil liability if the person attempts to render aid to the animal in addition to what is authorized under this Section.

(d) A person shall not be immune from criminal or civil liability for any damage resulting from the forcible entry of a vehicle for the purpose of removing an animal from the vehicle if the person's actions constitute recklessness or willful or wanton misconduct with regard to the entry of the vehicle.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.