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HB636 • 2026

AN ACT relating to civil immunity for animal rescue.

AN ACT relating to civil immunity for animal rescue.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
R. Roarx
Last action
2026-02-20
Official status
02/20/26: to Judiciary (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

AN ACT relating to civil immunity for animal rescue.

AN ACT relating to civil immunity for animal rescue.

What This Bill Does

  • AN ACT relating to civil immunity for animal rescue.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-20 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

    to Judiciary (H)

  2. 2026-02-12 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

    introduced in House to Committee on Committees (H)

Official Summary Text

AN ACT relating to civil immunity for animal rescue.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 963
Page 1 of 2
XXXX 2/11/2026 1:52 PM Jacketed
AN ACT relating to civil immunity for animal rescue. 1
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 2
Section 1. KRS 411.245 is amended to read as follows: 3
(1) A person who enters a vehicle, as defined in KRS 503.010, for the purpose of 4
removing a minor or domestic animal shall be immune from civil liability for any 5
resulting damage to the vehicle if the person: 6
(a) Has a reasonable, good faith belief, based upon the circumstances known to 7
the person at the time, that entry into the vehicle is necessary because the 8
minor or domestic animal is in imminent danger of physical injury if not 9
immediately removed from the vehicle; 10
(b) Has contacted local law enforcement, the local fire department, or a 911 11
emergency telephone service prior to entering the vehicle; 12
(c) Uses no more force than is reasonably necessary under the circumstances to 13
enter the vehicle and remove the minor or domestic animal [ than is 14
reasonably necessary under the circumstances]; and 15
(d) 1. Remains with the minor or domestic animal in a safe location, out of the 16
elements but reasonably close to the vehicle, until law enforcement, 17
firefighters, or other emergency responders arrive; or 18
2. Reasonably determines that emergency conditions require leaving the 19
scene with the minor or domestic animal , and places written not ice on 20
the vehicle containing: 21
a. The person's contact information; 22
b. The reason for entry into the vehicle[ was made]; 23
c. The[ minor's] location of the minor or domestic animal; and 24
d. Notice that authorities have been contacted. 25
(2) This section does no t limit a person's immunity from civil liability or defenses 26
established in another section of the Kentucky Revised Statutes or available at 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 963
Page 2 of 2
XXXX 2/11/2026 1:52 PM Jacketed
common law. 1