A bill is being introduced by Senator Jim Whelan, which would ensure that no individual in need of emergency assistance is denied as a result of their inability to answer the door. The bill would provide civil liability protections to emergency personnel and first responders –including both paid and volunteer police, fire and EMT workers — who must forcibly enter a location during a rescue call.
The bill would correct a deficiency in the law and provide immunity to first responders who enter a home, business or other structure based upon a good faith belief that forced entry is necessary to provide emergency medical care or to prevent imminent bodily harm and where no occupant responds to the first responder’s request for entry in a reasonable period of time.
