AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE PROVISION OF EMERGENCY TREATMENT TO AND TRANSPORTATION OF AN ANIMAL THAT IS INJURED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS DUTIES UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PEACE OFFICER.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jill Barry and 2 co-sponsors

Creates a task force to study emergency medical treatment and transport for animals injured while performing duties under peace officer supervision.

FILE NO. 461

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Purpose

HB 6964 would create a legislative task force to study policies, practices and barriers related to the emergency medical treatment and transportation of animals that are injured while performing duties under the supervision of a peace officer. The scope, as stated in the title, is to examine how injured animals (for example, police K‑9s, mounted patrol horses or other animals acting under officer supervision) receive immediate care and how they are transported for further treatment.

Key provisions (based on bill title and legislative filing)

Establishes a task force charged with studying the provision of emergency treatment and transportation for animals injured while performing duties under peace officer supervision.

The study is intended to identify current practices, legal or logistical barriers, costs, liability concerns, and possible changes to policy or statute to improve care and outcomes.

(No full bill text provided) The title indicates an explicit focus on animals injured in the performance of duties under supervision of a peace officer; other structural details (membership, chairs, reporting deadlines, staff support) are not included in the document excerpt available.

Who would be affected

Law enforcement agencies and peace officers (particularly units that use animals such as K‑9 or mounted units).

Animals serving with law enforcement (e.g., police dogs, horses).

Municipalities and counties that provide or fund law enforcement services.

Veterinarians and animal emergency service providers potentially involved in treatment/transport arrangements.

State agencies that may be asked to implement any recommendations, and taxpayers if funding or reimbursements are recommended.

Potential impacts and issues the task force may address

Development of standardized emergency-care protocols and training for officers.

Agreements with veterinarians or emergency clinics for rapid treatment and transport.

Equipment needs (e.g., animal first‑aid kits, transport crates/vehicles).

Liability, insurance, and workers‑compensation‑style reimbursement for treatment costs.

Budgetary implications for municipalities or the state if recommendations require funding.

Legislative status and timeline

Introduced: February 13, 2025 (referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security).

Public hearing held: February 18, 2025.

Filed with LCO: March 18, 2025.

Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis: March 27, 2025 (04/01/25).

Reported out of LCO and given a favorable report: April 2, 2025; tabled for House calendar; House Calendar Number 291; File No. 461.

Current status: Favorably reported and awaiting further action on the House calendar.

Note: The summary above is based on the bill title and legislative actions provided. The full bill language would specify task force membership, reporting deadlines, and any required deliverables; those details were not included in the available materials.

Bill