HB 25-1053

House Bill 25-1053, which has been signed into law, protects landowners from being sued for damages or injuries that occur when they allow emergency responders to enter their property during emergencies like fires, rescues, hazardous material incidents, and natural disasters. This means that if a landowner lets first responders use their land to help in an emergency without expecting payment, the landowner won’t face legal consequences unless the damage was caused by extremely reckless behavior. The law shields these landowners from most civil liabilities, encouraging them to assist during emergencies without fear of lawsuits.

Official Summary

The act provides immunity from civil liability for damage or injury to persons or property, other than that which arises from gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct, to a landowner who, in good faith and without compensation, allows access to the landowner's property for entry and exit in connection with an emergency. An emergency is a fire, a rescue call, a hazardous materials incident, a natural or human-caused disaster, or an incident reasonably determined to be an emergency by a first responder. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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