JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A new Missouri law will give legal protections to those who try to rescue children from hot vehicles.

Gov. Jay Nixon on Friday signed the legislation into law. It took effect immediately.

People will be required to contact police or other emergency responders before breaking in and then must wait with the child near the vehicle until responders arrive.

Those individuals could not be held civilly liable for damages after breaking into a vehicle.

The proposal’s sponsor has said it’s meant to encourage people not to wait before acting to save kids.

It received bipartisan support from lawmakers, but some questioned whether it’s necessary.