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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate2025-05-01

Vote Breakdown

Plain Language Summary

This bill allows emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to provide emergency medical care to injured police K-9 units and certified search and rescue dogs at emergency scenes without needing a veterinary license. It also protects EMS personnel from prosecution when they provide such emergency care in good faith, though this protection does not apply to cases involving gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill enables faster lifesaving care for working police and search and rescue dogs that are injured during emergency operations.
• •Proponents contend that EMS personnel are already trained to assess and stabilize injured beings and should be able to apply basic emergency care to these animals without legal barriers, potentially preventing deaths or worsening of injuries while waiting for veterinary care.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may worry that allowing non-veterinarians to treat animals could result in inappropriate care or worsen an animal's condition if EMS personnel lack animal-specific medical training.
• •Some may also question whether the good faith immunity provision is broad enough to protect EMS workers or creates liability concerns, and whether this sets a precedent for other animals or situations beyond the specific scope of police and search and rescue dogs.