Substitute House Bill No. 6964 establishes a task force to study 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 and sterilization 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 a report of its findings and recommendations by January 1, 2026, and will terminate upon submission of this report. The bill is designed to have no fiscal impact on the state or municipalities, as the task force is expected to have the necessary expertise to fulfill its mandate.