Bill > S01294

This bill establishes a canine officer health monitoring fund that allows law enforcement agencies and other authorized entities to request reimbursement from the division of criminal justice services for health-related expenses of working dogs used in police and law enforcement roles. The bill defines a "canine officer" as a dog specifically trained to assist law enforcement personnel and requires applicants to first seek available federal funds before requesting state reimbursement. Applicants must provide detailed information about each canine officer, including their age, years of service, job purpose (such as narcotic detection, explosives detection, or tracking), and health history. The bill mandates that the division maintain and annually update a comprehensive list of claims and relevant data about these canine officers, with the provision that de-identified information can be obtained through freedom of information requests. Reimbursement amounts will be reduced by any federal or other funds received, and agencies are still permitted to spend their own funds beyond the state reimbursement limitations. The goal of this legislation appears to be supporting the health and well-being of working dogs in law enforcement by providing a structured mechanism for covering their medical expenses.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1294