HB990: HB990 Public Safety, Department of; creation of a program to assist former handlers and adopters of retired law enforcement dogs with veterinary care costs; provide

26 LC 63 0151S The Senate Committee on Public Safety offered the following substitute to HB 990: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 6A of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the1 Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, so as to provide for the creation of a grant program2 to assist former handlers and adopters of retired law enforceme nt dogs, charitable3 organizations serving such dogs, and qualified law enforcement foundations with veterinary4 care costs for such dogs; to provide for purposes and authority of the grant program; to5 provide for sources of funding; to provide for administration of the program by the council;6 to establish criteria and procedures for such grants; to provid e for annual grant limit; to7 provide for definitions; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for related matters;8 to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.9 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA10 SECTION 1.11 Chapter 6A of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Criminal12 Justice Coordinating Council, is amended by revising Code Secti on 35-6A-13, which is13 reserved, as follows:14 "35-6A-13.15 (a) As used in this Code section, the term:16 - 1 - 26 LC 63 0151S (1) 'Charitable organization' means an organization that meets the requirements of17 paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Code Section 14-3-1302, prov ided that such18 organization is recognized as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue19 Code and has been so qualified for not less than five years and that assists former20 handlers or adopters of retired law enforcement dogs with their veterinary care.21 (2) 'Correctional agency' means a governmental unit of one or more persons employed22 full time or part time by the state, a state agency or department, or a political subdivision23 of the state for the primary purpose of providing supervision, protection, care, custody,24 control, or investigation of persons at a penal institution.25 (3) 'Law enforcement agency' means a governmental unit of one or more persons26 employed full time or part time by the state, a state agency or department, or a political27 subdivision of the state for the purpose of preventing and detecting crime and enforcing28 state laws or local ordinances, employees of which unit are authorized to make arrests for29 crimes while acting within the scope of their authority.30 (4) 'Licensed veterinarian' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code31 Section 43-50-3.32 (5) 'Penal institution' means any place of confinement for per sons accused of or33 convicted of violating a law of this state or an ordinance of a municipality or political34 subdivision of this state.35 (6) 'Qualified law enforcement foundation' shall have the same meaning as set forth in36 Code Section 48-7-29.25.37 (7) 'Retired law enforcement dog' means a dog that meets the following criteria:38 (A) The dog was previously in the service of or employed by a law enforcement39 agency or correctional agency in this state for the principal p urpose of aiding in the40 detection of criminal activity, enforcement of laws, apprehensi on of offenders, or41 detection of accelerants, explosives, or narcotics, or for assisting with search and rescue42 operations; and43 - 2 - 26 LC 63 0151S (B) The dog received certification in obedience, apprehension, accelerant detection,44 explosive detection, narcotic detection, or search and rescue f rom a nationally45 recognized organization that certifies dogs performing that type of work.46 (8) 'Veterinary care' means the practice of veterinary medicine by a licensed veterinarian47 as set forth in Code Section 43-50-3. Such term shall include annual wellness48 examinations, vaccinations, internal and external parasite prevention treatments, testing49 and treatment of illnesses and diseases, medications, emergency care and surgeries,50 veterinary oncology or other specialty care, euthanasia, and cremation.51 (b) Law enforcement dogs provide critical support to public safety and are required to52 undergo training and provide services that present special needs and adoption limitations53 for such dogs upon their retirement. Ensuring that law enforce ment dogs are properly54 cared for in retirement and incentivizing and enabling former h andlers and potential55 adopters to provide such care thus serves the public interest.56 (c)(1) The council shall establish a grant program to provide financial assistance for the57 veterinary care of retired law enforcement dogs.58 (2) The grants provided pursuant to this Code section shall be subject to funding from59 gifts, grants, donations, devises, or other contributions of money or property from private60 individuals, corporations, nonprofit organizations, or foundati ons, provided that such61 contributions are voluntary and no contributor to the grant program receives any special62 privilege, consideration, or benefit.63 (3) Subject to available funding, the grants awarded under thi s Code section shall64 disburse funds for the actual expenses incurred for a retired l aw enforcement dog's65 veterinary care by such dog's former handler or adopter, a charitable organization, or a66 qualified law enforcement foundation upon receipt and verification of:67 (A) A grant application seeking reimbursement for veterinary care;68 - 3 - 26 LC 63 0151S (B) Documentation from the law enforcement agency or correctio nal agency from69 which the dog retired verifying that such dog was in the service of or employed by such70 agency; and71 (C) Documentation from a licensed veterinarian verifying the veterinary care provided72 in this state to such retired law enforcement dog and the payment made by the former73 handler or adopter, a charitable organization, or a qualified law enforcement foundation74 for such care.75 (d) The council shall establish and administer:76 (1) Eligibility and selection criteria for grant applicants that comply with the provisions77 of this Code section;78 (2) Grant application procedures, including guidelines for the application and79 documentation required by subsection (c) of this Code section;80 (3) Guidelines relating to grant amounts which shall include a requirement that the81 disbursements to an applicant for the veterinary care of a reti red law enforcement dog82 shall not exceed $5,000.00 per dog per calendar year;83 (4) Procedures for evaluating grant applications; and84 (5) Procedures for monitoring and reporting on the use of any grant awarded under the85 grant program and ensuring compliance with the provisions of this Code section.86 (e) The council is authorized to promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary87 to carry out the provisions of this Code section. Reserved."88 SECTION 2.89 This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law90 without such approval.91 SECTION 3.92 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.93 - 4 -