Bill > AB463

This bill provides new provisions for emergency medical services related to police canines and search and rescue dogs. The bill defines a "police canine" as a dog owned or employed by law enforcement, correctional, fire, or special fire agencies primarily used for detecting criminal activity, investigating fires, or apprehending offenders. It authorizes ambulance operators and fire department personnel to transport injured police canines or search and rescue dogs to veterinary facilities when no human patients require medical attention, with the dog's handler accompanying the animal if possible. The bill allows emergency responders to provide basic first aid to these working dogs during transport and protects these responders from criminal or civil liability if they act in good faith, as long as they do not commit gross negligence. Additionally, the bill requires ambulance operators who choose to transport these dogs to develop and submit policies to their local emergency medical services agency, including guidelines for equipment and decontamination procedures. Importantly, the bill does not mandate that ambulances or emergency responders transport or provide care to these dogs, and any emergency medical service contracts cannot require such transport as a condition of award. The legislation aims to provide support and protection for working dogs that provide critical services to various public safety agencies.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB463