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House Speaker Working To Prevent Hot Car Deaths

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- House Speaker Beth Harwell has been working to raise awareness of the danger of leaving a child unattended in a vehicle.

A recent report showed Tennessee among the top 10 states for death of children due to hot vehicles, claiming 23 deaths from 1998 to 2014.

Speaker Harwell has recorded a PSA to address the issue.

Last year, lawmakers passed legislation that protected individuals from the cost of damages if they have to force their way into a hot car to save a child.

The law required Good Samaritans to first call 911 before seeing if any vehicle doors were unlocked. If not, they were allowed to break in to rescue a child.

Tennessee was among 20 states that have laws that address leaving a child unattended in a vehicle.

(Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)