New law allows Tennessee residents to break into cars with children inside

In a summer punctuated by horrifying incidents of children dying in hot cars, one state will now allow bystanders to break into a car if they see a kid inside who they believe is in danger.

As of July 1, you can legally smash a window or otherwise forcibly enter a parked car in Tennessee without liability if you have “a good faith belief” the actions help a minor who will suffer “harm if not immediately removed from the vehicle.”

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State Rep. David Hawk, who sponsored the bill, called it a landmark piece of legislation.

“I hope this law brings awareness to parents to, number one, not leave their child in a hot car,” Hawk told TODAY Parents.

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