Senate Bill No. 427 (SB427 File No. 433) proposes amendments to current laws regarding the treatment of animals, specifically those serving with police and volunteer canine search and rescue teams. The bill increases penalties for animal cruelty, introducing a class C felony for intentionally injuring or killing an animal under the supervision of a peace officer or a member of a volunteer canine search and rescue team. It also redefines the act of harassing an animal confined in a motor vehicle as a class D misdemeanor. Convicted individuals will face a five-year prohibition from owning or residing with animals post-conviction or release, and emergency medical services personnel are permitted to provide emergency treatment and transport to injured animals, with the Department of Public Health required to adopt relevant training regulations by July 1, 2025.

Additionally, the bill establishes a grant program to provide body armor for law enforcement dogs, to be administered by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, with program details to be posted online by October 1, 2024. The fiscal impact statement indicates potential costs for the Department of Public Health and savings for municipal police departments, with costs contingent upon funding availability for the grant program. The bill also includes definitions for "peace officers," "volunteer canine search and rescue team," and "emergency medical services personnel," and references SB 339 (File 217) concerning restitution for injured or killed peace officers' animals. The Judiciary Committee has favorably reported the bill unanimously.