SB 156
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader
Senate Bill 156 (Senator Kramer)
Judicial Proceedings Judiciary
Public Safety - Law Enforcement - Veterinary Care of Retired Law Enforcement
K-9s Act
This bill requires a State or local law enforcement agency that removes a publicly owned
dog used in law enforcement work from duty to reimburse an individual who takes
possession of the dog, as specified, for reasonable and necessary veterinary treatment
provided to the dog. The bill establishes limits on the amount of reimbursement and allows
State and local law enforcement agencies to accept donations to meet the bill’s
requirements. The bill also (1) establishes the K-9 Compassionate Care Fund (K-9 Fund)
within the Department of State Police (DSP) to provide for veterinary care of retired
State law enforcement dogs adopted pursuant to the bill and (2) authorizes a local
law enforcement agency to establish a separate fund, as specified. The bill takes effect
July 1, 2021.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: Special fund revenues increase due to any donations received; special fund
expenditures increase to reimburse individuals for authorized veterinary treatment. To the
extent donations are not sufficient to cover costs, general fund expenditures increase.
Local Effect: Local expenditures increase to reimburse individuals for authorized
veterinary treatment. Local revenues may increase due to any donations received. This bill
may impose a mandate on a unit of local government.
Small Business Effect: Minimal or none.
 Analysis
Bill Summary: The bill requires a State or local law enforcement agency that removes a
publicly owned dog used in law enforcement work from duty to reimburse an individual
who, under a written agreement with the law enforcement agency, takes possession of the
dog on or after October 1, 2020, for reasonable and necessary veterinary treatment provided
to the dog. Reimbursement (1) may only be for usual and customary veterinary treatment
that is not attributable to abuse or neglect of the dog and is verified by written receipt and
(2) may not exceed $2,500 during a calendar year and $10,000 over the life of the dog.
A State law enforcement agency may accept public donations to meet the bill’s
requirements. The revenue from public donations must be distributed to the K-9 Fund, a
newly established special fund administered by DSP. In addition to public donations, the
K-9 Fund consists of money appropriated in the State budget to the fund, interest earnings,
and any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the fund.
The fund may be used only for the reimbursement of usual and customary veterinary
treatment that is not attributable to abuse or neglect of an adopted former State
law enforcement dog that is verified by written receipts and for administrative expenses.
Expenditures from the fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget. Money
expended from the fund for the veterinary care of retired State law enforcement dogs
adopted under the bill is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding
that would otherwise be appropriated for the veterinary care of retired State
law enforcement dogs.
A local law enforcement agency may establish a separate fund to accept and manage public
donations to meet the bill’s requirements.
Current Law: Each publicly owned dog used for law enforcement work by the State or a
local jurisdiction must have a license issued by DSP. Licensing and registration is done
online. There is no license fee. Each license must (1) be dated and numbered; (2) state the
law enforcement agency to which the dog belongs; and (3) describe the dog that is licensed.
DSP must provide with each license a metal tag that is stamped “Department of State
Police” and bears the license number of the dog. The tag must be affixed to a substantial
collar to be provided by the law enforcement agency to which the dog belongs.
A license is valid for all dog licensing purposes anywhere in the State and is in effect until
the earlier of (1) revocation of the license by DSP or (2) removal of the licensed dog from
law enforcement work.
State Fiscal Effect: DSP can implement the bill with existing staff.
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Under the bill, for each dog to which the bill applies, the maximum reimbursement is
$2,500 annually and $10,000 over the life of the dog. The total number of State-owned
law enforcement dogs expected to retire each year is unknown. However, for illustrative
purposes, if a total of 15 State-owned dogs are retired annually, maximum reimbursements
under the bill are shown in Exhibit 1. (In fiscal 2022, reimbursements may be higher due
to the bill’s retroactive application to individuals who take possession of dogs on or after
October 1, 2020, even though the bill takes effect July 1, 2021.)
Exhibit 1
Illustrative Example of Potential Reimbursements under the Bill
FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026
Number of dogs
retired per year 15 15 15 15 15
Cumulative
number of dogs
retired 15 30 45 60 60
Maximum
reimbursements $37,500 $75,000 $112,500 $150,000 $150,000
Source: Department of Legislative Services
Actual reimbursements for veterinary expenses could vary in any given year and depend
on several factors, including the number of dogs affected, the actual life span of each dog,
and verified receipts for veterinary expenses. Assuming an average life span of four years
for each dog after retirement, beginning in fiscal 2025, the number of dogs subject to the
bill’s requirements remains constant, as the anticipated number of additional dogs that
retire is the same as the anticipated number of dogs that die. Also, the bill’s cap on
total reimbursements over the life of a dog ($10,000) means that if the maximum annual
reimbursement of $2,500 each year is provided, even if a dog lives more than four years,
the cap will have been reached.
The potential for public donations to be used to offset costs incurred under the bill cannot
be reliably estimated. However, to the extent any donations are received and accepted,
special fund revenues increase. In the absence of sufficient donations, it is assumed that
any remaining costs are paid with general funds.
Local Fiscal Effect: The bill’s impact on local government expenditures likely varies by
jurisdiction and depends on the number of dogs retired in any given year, the lifespan of
SB 156/ Page 3
affected dogs, and actual authorized veterinary expenses. The following information was
gleaned from a survey of local governments:
 Caroline County advises that given the small number of dogs owned by county law
enforcement, it assumes that the fiscal impact to the county would likely not exceed
$10,000 annually.
 Prince George’s County reports, if it assumes that five dogs are retired from service
each year, the maximum cost of the bill is $12,500 in fiscal 2022, with increased
costs in future years as additional dogs are retired from service.
The potential for public donations to be used to offset these costs cannot be reliably
estimated. However, to the extent any donations are received and accepted by local
governments, local revenues increase and offset at least a portion of the estimated costs.
Additional Comments: Currently, DSP reports that there are approximately 633 active
dogs. DSP’s canine unit currently has 35 dogs. DSP reports that the average service life of
a law enforcement dog is eight years, followed by an expected post service life of
four years. For DSP, on average, 5 dogs are retired annually. Other State law enforcement
agencies also have canine units. For example, the Department of Public Safety and
Correctional Services advises that it has about 60 dogs and that it retires about 6 dogs
annually. The Natural Resources Police within the Department of Natural Resources has
approximately 2 to 3 dogs in retirement at any given time. The Office of the State Fire
Marshall expects to have up to 2 dogs in retirement. The Maryland Transportation
Authority Police advises that it currently has 13 dogs, with retirement depending on several
factors, including age, medical history, and training records. Numerous local jurisdictions
also operate canine units.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: SB 412 of 2020 passed the Senate with amendments and was
referred to the House Judiciary Committee, but no further action was taken. HB 438 of
2016, a similar bill, passed the House with amendments but received an unfavorable report
from the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. Its cross file, SB 917, received an
unfavorable report from the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. HB 505 of 2015
passed the House with amendments but received an unfavorable report from the Senate
Judicial Proceedings Committee.
Designated Cross File: None.
SB 156/ Page 4
Information Source(s): Caroline, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties;
Comptroller’s Office; Morgan State University; St. Mary’s College of Maryland;
Department of General Services; Department of Natural Resources; Department of State
Police; Maryland Department of Transportation; Department of Public Safety and
Correctional Services; Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - January 15, 2021
rh/lgc Third Reader - February 2, 2021
Analysis by: Shirleen M. E. Pilgrim Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
SB 156/ Page 5


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Public Safety - Law Enforcement - Veterinary Care of Retired Law Enforcement K-9s Act: 3-523 Public Safety, 6-226 State Finance and Procurement
Text - Third - Public Safety - Law Enforcement - Veterinary Care of Retired Law Enforcement K-9s Act: 3-523 Public Safety, 6-226 State Finance and Procurement