House Bill 1694, known as the "Tennessee K-9 Emergency Medical Care and Transport Act," aims to enhance emergency services for specially trained dogs, referred to as "canine first responders," that are injured in the line of duty. The bill introduces new definitions and provisions within the Tennessee Code Annotated, including the roles of "emergency veterinary medicine service director" and "emergency medical services personnel." It establishes a framework for licensed veterinarians to oversee emergency care for these dogs and mandates the training of emergency medical services personnel to provide necessary care and transport.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that emergency medical services personnel who provide care or transport for injured canine first responders are not required to be licensed under the veterinary medical chapter. It also grants them immunity from criminal and civil liability when acting in good faith to assist these animals. The legislation emphasizes the importance of supporting canine first responders, who play critical roles in law enforcement and military operations, by ensuring they receive prompt and effective medical attention when injured.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 63-12-103, 63-12-133