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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ch. SL 2025-422025-07-01

Vote Breakdown

Plain Language Summary

This bill allows emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to carry pepper spray while on duty after completing training and receiving approval from their EMS provider. It also permits EMS personnel to provide emergency medical care and transport to injured police K-9 units and certified search and rescue dogs at emergency scenes, with legal protection from prosecution if they act in good faith.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that pepper spray gives EMS personnel a non-lethal self-defense tool to protect themselves in dangerous situations they may encounter while responding to emergencies.
• •They contend that allowing EMS to treat injured police and search and rescue dogs saves valuable working animals' lives by enabling immediate emergency care at the scene rather than waiting for veterinarians, and that good-faith immunity protects EMS workers from legal liability when they act to help animals in distress.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may be concerned that pepper spray carries risks of accidental discharge in ambulances during patient transport, potentially harming patients or EMS staff.
• •They might also question whether EMS personnel have sufficient veterinary training to treat animals safely and worry that liability immunity could be too broad, potentially shielding negligent care of animals from legal accountability.