CS/CS/CS/HB 25 - Care for Retired Law Enforcement Dogs Program

• Creates the Care for Retired Law Enforcement Dogs Program within the Department of Law Enforcement to provide stable funding for veterinary care of retired law enforcement dogs.

• Department must contract with a nonprofit corporation through competitive grant process to administer the program; nonprofit must be tax-exempt for at least 5 years and dedicated to protecting/caring for retired law enforcement dogs.

• Reimburses former handlers or adopters of retired law enforcement dogs that served 5+ years (or 3+ years if injured in line of duty) up to $1,500 annually per dog for veterinary care including examinations, vaccinations, emergency care, surgeries, and cremation.

• Prohibits accumulation of unused annual funds and denies reimbursement if program funds are depleted in the year reimbursement is sought; allows nonprofit to use up to 10 percent of appropriated funds for administrative expenses.

• Appropriates $300,000 in recurring General Revenue Funds to the Department of Law Enforcement for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, effective July 1, 2022.