Bills › 90th General Assembly
Allowing emergency medical care providers to diagnose and treat severe injuries suffered by police service dogs while on duty
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 15, 2023
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 21, 2023
- Done: Senate committeeMarch 6, 2023
- Skipped: Passes the SenateContinued as SF 539
- Next: House committee
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became SF 539 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 539 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Certified emergency medical responders would be allowed to provide immediate care to a police service dog that is severely injured while on duty. This help must happen only after they have treated any injured humans at the scene and is meant to stabilize the dog until a veterinarian can take over. These responders cannot be held legally responsible for the decisions they make while helping the animal.1
Read the official explanation
BACKGROUND. Current law provides for veterinary medical services that include diagnosing or treating an animal’s injury. The services are required to be provided by a veterinarian holding a license or temporary permit issued by the Iowa board of veterinary medicine (Code chapter 169).4). BILL’S PROVISIONS., county sheriff or deputy, police officer employed by a city, or member of the department of public safety). The police service dog must be injured while on duty, the injury must be severe, and the veterinary medical services must be necessary to immediately stabilize the police service dog’s condition for a later diagnosis or treatment by a licensed veterinarian or temporary permit holder. The bill provides that an emergency medical care provider is not required to diagnose or treat a police service dog, cannot provide such a service prior to diagnosing or treating a human at the scene of an emergency, and is not civilly liable as a result of an act, omission, or decision made when diagnosing or treating the police service dog.
Senate subcommittee
Named February 21, 2023. On February 27, 2023 it recommended amendment and passage. [].
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Iowa Code it changes
Lobbying
9 for · 0 against · 6 undecided · Who →
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90th General Assembly
Picked up later
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Similar bills
- HF 490 Allowing police service dogs to receive emergency veterinary medical services while on dut…91st General Assembly · Subcommittee recommends passageNearly identical
Matched by wording or an identical title.