Substitute House Bill No. 6964 establishes a task force aimed at studying the provision of emergency treatment and transportation for animals injured while performing duties under the supervision of peace officers. The task force will examine various aspects, including the appropriate circumstances for emergency treatment, necessary training for emergency medical services personnel, identification of veterinary facilities, decontamination requirements for equipment, and issues related to the scope of practice for emergency medical services personnel. The task force will consist of members appointed by various legislative leaders and relevant commissioners, with the first meeting scheduled within sixty days of the bill's passage.

The bill includes specific legal language changes, such as the clarification of "treatment and transportation to an animal" to "treatment to, and transportation of, an animal" for clarity. The task force is required to submit its findings and recommendations by January 1, 2026, and will terminate upon submission of the report or on that date, whichever is later. The bill is expected to have no fiscal impact on the state or municipalities, as the task force is composed of members with the necessary expertise to fulfill its mandate.