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HB 1694

Medical Occupations - As enacted, enacts the "Tennessee K-9 Emergency Medical Care and Transport Act." - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2; Title 44, Chapter 17; Title 63, Chapter 12 and Title 68, Chapter 140.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Michele Reneau

Tennessee bill authorizes EMTs to provide emergency medical care and transport injured police/rescue dogs to veterinary facilities with liability protection for good-faith treatment.

Comp. SB subst.
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Bill Summary · HB 1694

Legislative bill overview

HB 1694 establishes the "Tennessee K-9 Emergency Medical Care and Transport Act," which authorizes emergency medical personnel to provide emergency medical care to injured police and rescue dogs and transport them to veterinary facilities. The bill includes training requirements, oversight provisions, and grants immunity to medical personnel who provide such care in good faith.

Why is this important

Canine first responders (police dogs, search-and-rescue dogs) are valuable public safety assets that currently lack explicit legal provisions for emergency medical transport by EMTs. This bill addresses a practical gap where an injured working dog might face delays in reaching veterinary care if standard EMS protocols don't clearly authorize such treatment and transport, potentially affecting both animal welfare and emergency response capabilities.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of "canine first responders": The definition may need clarification regarding which dogs qualify (official K-9 units only, or also private security/detection dogs) and whether it covers off-duty animals
  • Training requirements and costs: The bill requires specific training for EMS personnel but doesn't specify who bears training costs or how extensive the requirements are, potentially creating compliance burdens for rural or under-resourced agencies
  • Resource allocation concerns: Critics may argue that EMT time and resources devoted to animal care could be redirected to human patients, though the bill frames this as care during already-active emergency responses

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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