BILL NUMBER: S6946
SPONSOR: LANZA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law and the education law, in relation
to authorizing emergency medical service personnel to provide basic
first aid to cats and dogs under certain circumstances
 
PURPOSE:
To authorize emergency medical care personnel to provide basic first aid
to dogs and cats.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one amends section 3013 of the public health law by adding new
subdivisions 7, 8 and 9.
Section two amends the public health law by adding a new section 3018.
Section three amends section 6702 of the education law by adding a new
subdivision 3.
Section four amends section 6703 of the education law by designating
paragraph one as subdivision 1 and adding a new subdivision 2.
Section five amends section 6705 of the education law by adding a new
subdivision 16.
Section six sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Emergency situations occur every single day. From house fires to car
accidents, first responders and emergency medical technicians are the
first to arrive at the scene to provide medical care and treat injuries.
Unfortunately in these emergency situations, it is not only humans who
desperately need medical attention. Domestic animals such as dogs and
cats may also be the victims of a fire or accident. This legislation
allows first responders and emergency medical technicians to provide
treatment to a dog or cat that has been injured prior to transferring
the animal to the care of a veterinarian. This legislation could mean
life or death for countless beloved pets as in an emergency situation,
time is truly of the essence and treatment needs to be administered
immediately. This legislation also protects first responders, emergency
medical technicians, and veterinarians from any civil liability in the
instance that treatment was unsuccessful and the animal dies with the
exception of a determination of gross negligence.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S.4637 - Referred to Health
2023: S.4637 - Referred to Health
2022: S.5683 - Referred to Health
2021: S.5683 - Referred to Health
2020: S.792 - Referred to Health/ A.61 - Referred to Higher Education
2019: S.792 - Referred to Health/ A.61 - Referred to Higher Education
2018: S.5716-B - Referred to Health/ A. 7812-8- Passed Assembly
2017: S.5716 - Passed Senate/ A.7812 Referred to Higher Education
2016: S.8172 - Referred to Rules
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become law.

Statutes affected:
S6946: 3013 public health law, 6702 education law, 6705 education law