Oregonians who see an animal or child overheating in a hot car will soon be able to take action without fear of legal repercussions, if Gov. Kate Brown signs a bill headed to her desk.

House Bill 2732, which passed the State Senate Wednesday, would exempt people from civil or criminal liability if they break a window when they see a pet or child in a hot car, OPB reported.

"It's a real threat, this is not something that only can happen in Phoenix, Arizona, or in the southwest in the summer months," Courtney said, according to OPB. "It can happen in the state of Oregon with temperatures as low as 72 degrees."

On average, 37 children die from heatstroke after being left in hot cars every year, according to kidsandcars.org, a child safety advocacy group. Hundreds of pets succumb to the same fate, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The bill is now headed to the Governor's desk.

-- Kale Williams

kwilliams@oregonian.com

503-294-4048