LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Good Samaritans who break into a locked car to save a pet could be shielded from criminal charges and lawsuits under a proposal in the Nebraska Legislature.

Sen. Sara Howard of Omaha introduced a bill Tuesday that would grant immunity to a person who damages a vehicle to save an animal locked inside.

The measure would only apply if there was no other reasonable way to save the animal, and if the person believed the animal was in imminent danger.

The bill would also require the person breaking into the vehicle to contact authorities before taking action, place a note with contact information on the vehicle’s windshield or driver’s side door, and wait with the animal at a nearby safe location until authorities arrive.