IndianaVehicle rescuers may owe half the repair cost for animal rescues
People who rescue domestic animals from vehicles may owe half the repair cost, while listed emergency and animal care workers owe none when acting within their jobs.
What it does
A person who breaks into a vehicle to rescue a domestic animal may owe half the repair cost, but can avoid other property damage claims by following emergency steps. Listed emergency and animal care workers owe no repair cost while acting within their jobs.
When a crime causes an animal's death or lasting loss of bodily function, a court may consider that harm when deciding the sentence.
Argument forA person who follows the emergency steps may avoid other property damage claims, and listed emergency and animal care workers may owe no repair cost while on duty.
Argument againstA rescuer who follows the emergency steps may still owe half the repair cost, which could make some people hesitate before breaking a vehicle window.
More detail
A person who forcibly enters a vehicle to remove a domestic animal may owe half the repair cost and is protected from other property damage claims. This applies to a person who forcibly enters a motor vehicle to remove a domestic animal. The person must reasonably believe the animal faces imminent serious bodily harm, determine that the vehicle is locked and entry is necessary, contact emergency help first, use only the force reasonably needed, and stay with the animal until help arrives. Listed officers, firefighters, public safety workers, emergency responders, animal control officers, veterinarians, and veterinary assistants owe no repair cost when acting within their jobs; a law enforcement officer may qualify while off duty. The provision took effect July 1, 2026.
A court may consider an animal's death or lasting loss of bodily function when deciding a sentence. This applies when a crime results in an animal's death or permanent loss or impairment of a body part or organ. This is a factor the court may consider, not a required sentence or a separate offense. The provision took effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 4Signed by the Governor Mike BraunBecame Law
- Mar 4Public Law 80Major
- Feb 27Signed by the President Pro TemporeMajor
- Feb 27Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Feb 26Signed by the SpeakerMajor
- Feb 25Returned to the House with amendmentsMinor
- Vote recorded HB 1165 - McNamara. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 374: yeas 78, nays 14
- Feb 25Motion to concur filedMinor
- Feb 24Third reading: passed; Roll Call 264: yeas 42, nays 6Passed Senate
- Vote recorded HB 1165 - Carrasco - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 19Amendment #1 (Taylor G) prevailed; voice voteMajor
- Feb 19Senator Deery added as second sponsor
- Feb 19Second reading: amended, ordered engrossedMinor
- Feb 12Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedMinor
- Feb 2First reading: referred to Committee on Corrections and Criminal LawMinor
- Jan 29Referred to the SenateMinor
- Jan 28Third reading: passed; Roll Call 140: yeas 85, nays 6Passed House
- Vote recorded HB 1165 - McNamara - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 28Senate sponsor: Senator Carrasco
- Jan 27Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Jan 27Representative Andrade added as coauthor
- Jan 22Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 5First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal CodeMinor
- Jan 5Authored by Representative McNamara
- Jan 5Coauthored by Representatives Baird, BartelsIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety