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TN HB1694

TN HB1694
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2; Title 44, Chapter 17; Title 63, Chapter 12 and Title 68, Chapter 140, relative to emergency services for specially trained animals.


summary

Introduced
01/15/2026
In Committee
01/22/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

114th General Assembly

Bill Summary

As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee K-9 Emergency Medical Care and Transport Act"; authorizes, subject to certain training and oversight requirements, emergency medical personnel to provide emergency care to injured canine first responders and transport such canines to veterinary facilities; provides immunity arising from providing such care when performed in good faith. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2; Title 44, Chapter 17; Title 63, Chapter 12 and Title 68, Chapter 140.

AI Summary

This bill, known as the "Tennessee K-9 Emergency Medical Care and Transport Act," allows specially trained dogs used by law enforcement or military, referred to as "canine first responders," to receive emergency medical care and transport from emergency medical services personnel. The act establishes that these personnel can provide such care and transport to a veterinary facility if no human requires immediate attention, provided they have received specific training approved by the board of veterinary medical examiners and are acting under the direction of a licensed veterinarian serving as an "emergency veterinary medicine service director." Importantly, emergency medical services personnel are granted immunity from civil and criminal liability for good-faith actions taken while providing this emergency care to an injured canine first responder, or for refusing to provide such care.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (7)

Last Action

Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/11/2026 (on 03/04/2026)

bill text


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