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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

     RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- ANIMAL CARE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, C Lima, Solomon, Edwards, Shanley, Serpa,
Amore, Carson, Craven, and Noret

     Date Introduced: January 10, 2022

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 4-19 of the General Laws entitled "Animal Care" is hereby amended

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by adding thereto the following section:

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     4-19-23. Humane transportation of K-9 partners.

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     (a) For this purposes of this section "police dog" means: a dog owned by a police

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department or police agency of the State of Rhode Island or any political subdivision thereof, that

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is used by the department or agency for official duties.

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     (b) EMS personnel may provide emergency treatment to a police dog injured in the line of

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duty and transport such police dog by ambulance to a veterinary care facility equipped to provide

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emergency treatment to dogs; provided, however, that EMS personnel shall not transport an injured

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police dog if providing such transport would inhibit their ability to provide emergency medical

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attention or transport to a person requiring such services.

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     (c) The department of health, in consultation with the Rhode Island veterinary medical

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association, the Rhode Island association of fire chiefs, the Rhode Island state association of

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firefighters, at least two (2) practicing, licensed emergency medical technicians, the international

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brotherhood of police officers' K-9 officer, the fraternal order of police's K-9 officer, and the

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department of state police's K-9 unit, shall develop policies and procedures that include, but are not

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limited to:

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     (1) Appropriate training of EMS personnel to provide police dogs basic level first aid,

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cardiopulmonary resuscitation and life-saving interventions, including, but not limited to,

 

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administering naloxone; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall authorize the

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provision of advanced life support care to a police dog;

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     (2) Safe handling procedures for injured police dogs, including, but not limited to, the use

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of a box muzzle and response coordination with a law enforcement official trained in handling

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police dogs;

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     (3) Identification of veterinary facilities that provide emergency treatment for injured

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police dogs;

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     (4) Decontamination of stretchers, the patient compartment and any contaminated medical

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equipment after a police dog has been transported by ambulance or EMS vehicle; and

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     (5) Sterilization of the interior of an ambulance or EMS vehicle before being returned to

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human service, including, but not limited to, sanitizing all allergens and disinfection to a standard

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safe for human transport.

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     (d) The department of health may grant a waiver from this section if the department

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determines that compliance poses a safety risk to the public. The department shall develop

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regulations regarding applications and issuance of such a waiver.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

     RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- ANIMAL CARE

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     This act would allow emergency medical treatment to police dogs injured in the line of

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duty, which would include transporting by ambulance.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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