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SB 2069

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 Bo Watson

Tennessee authorizes emergency medical personnel to provide emergency care and transport to injured police/military working dogs with liability protection when acting in good faith.

Transmitted to Governor for action.
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Bill Summary · SB 2069

Legislative bill overview

SB 2069 authorizes emergency medical personnel (EMTs and paramedics) in Tennessee to provide emergency medical care and transport to injured police and military working dogs, establishing training and oversight requirements for such care. The bill grants liability immunity to medical personnel who provide good-faith emergency care to canine first responders, treating them similarly to human patients in emergency situations.

Why is this important

Working dogs—particularly police K-9 units—are valuable assets in law enforcement and military operations, and currently lack clear legal pathways for emergency medical intervention. This bill fills a gap where injured working dogs may not receive timely emergency care because medical personnel lack explicit authorization or fear legal liability. The legislation recognizes these animals as essential workers deserving emergency medical protection comparable to their human counterparts.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope creep concerns: Whether the law could be interpreted to extend beyond police/military dogs to other animals, or if definitions of "canine first responders" are sufficiently narrow
  • Training requirements and cost: Questions about whether existing EMT/paramedic curricula adequately prepare personnel for canine emergency care, and who bears training expenses
  • Liability vs. negligence: Whether immunity language adequately protects personnel while preventing genuinely negligent care, or if it creates too broad a shield from accountability
  • Resource allocation: Concerns that prioritizing canine emergency transport diverts limited EMS resources away from human patients during simultaneous emergencies

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

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