Lawmakers on Tuesday stressed that a bill aimed at saving a doggie or child trapped in a hot car would not open the door to breaking windows at will.

House Bill 1179 would offer immunity from civil and criminal charges for anyone who breaks into a car to rescue an at-risk person or animal.

But there is a long list of steps that must first be met, including:

Rep. Jeni Arndt, D-Fort Collins, wanted to make sure that seemingly good Samaritans won’t go smashing windows under a false assumption.

“Someone thinks my dog is in distress and they call 911, is there a waiting period between when they call 911 and when they break my window because they thought my dog looked hot?” Arndt asked.

Rep. Lori Saine, D-Firestone, a co-sponsor of the bill with Rep. Joann Ginal, D-Fort Collins, said she believes the requirements in the bill offer enough protections.

“In the act of calling 911, I’m willing to bet they’re going to get very good advice about what to do next,” Saine said.

The bill comes after news reports of dogs left in hot cars, as would-be rescuers felt helpless to do anything while they waited for law enforcement to arrive. Sometimes the time it takes for authorities to arrive could be all it takes for a panting doggie to succumb to the heat.

The inside of a vehicle in the sun can be 40 degrees hotter than outside, according to testimony provided when the bill was in committee.

House Bill 1179 must still receive a final vote in the House before moving to the Senate.

“This bill is a last resort when other options have been exhausted and a human or an animal is in visible distress,” Ginal said. “If this bill can save just one life it’s worthwhile.”