HARRISBURG (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - The state Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would provide immunity for anyone attempting to save children left in hot cars.
Twenty other states have similar "Good Samaritan" laws for people who break into a locked vehicle to save an unattended child
Senator Tom Killion sponsored Senate Bill 49.
"We chose the number 49 because last year that's how many children died of heat exhaustion here in the United States, unfortunately the number has since risen to 51," said Killion.
He says 12 children have died in hot cars in Pennsylvania since 1995.
"2018 was the worst year in history for child car deaths in the country ... so it's not as if it's not happening, it seems to be happening more," Killion told KDKA Radio's Lynne Hayes-Freeland.
Supporters say the law will save lives by eliminating the concern of liability for those trying to save children.
The bill has been sent to the PA House of Representatives and there is a similar bill also currently in the house. Killion says he doesn't care what bill gets to the governor's desk first, he just wants it signed.
"If it saves one life, it's worth it."
___Jennifer Bloodworth contributed to this story.
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