SB207 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jimmy Holley
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Motor vehicles, removal of child or incapacitated person from locked vehicle, immunity under certain conditions
Summary: SB 207 prevents leaving a child or incapacitated person alone in a car in a way that could cause harm and helps rescuers and public safety officials who safely remove them from the vehicle.
What This Bill Does
It makes it illegal to leave a child under nine or an incapacitated person in a motor vehicle unattended in a way that creates risk, with a safe presumption if the interior is 99°F or cooler. It allows a rescuer to enter and remove the person from a locked vehicle with criminal immunity for any vehicle damage if they meet specific conditions, including confirming danger, contacting a public safety official, and keeping the person safe nearby. It requires public safety officials to dispatch lockout services and grants them civil and criminal immunity when acting reasonably under this law. The act becomes effective a few months after it is enacted and approved.

Who It Affects
Children under nine and incapacitated persons are protected from being left in dangerous situations in cars, and they may benefit from a safe-temperature presumption and rescue provisions.
Public safety officials (law enforcement, fire departments, and 911 services) gain legal protections when they reasonably rescue a child or incapacitated person from an unattended vehicle and must involve locksmiths or towing services as needed.

Key Provisions
Prohibits leaving a child or incapacitated person unattended in a motor vehicle in a way that creates an unreasonable risk; a car interior temperature of 99°F or less is presumed safe.
Defines important terms: child (under nine), incapacitated person, motor vehicle, and public safety official.
Allows entry into a locked vehicle to remove a child or incapacitated person with criminal immunity for vehicle damage if conditions are met (locked/out exit blocked, imminent danger, contact with a public safety official, appropriate force, and staying with the person near the vehicle until responders arrive).
Requires public safety officials to dispatch locksmiths or towing with lockout capabilities and to contact the vehicle owner/operator.
Provides civil and criminal immunity to public safety officials acting reasonably under the act.
Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Motor Vehicles