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	<ns0:Description>
		<ns0:Id>20250AB__046393CHP</ns0:Id>
		<ns0:VersionNum>93</ns0:VersionNum>
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				<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
				<ns0:ActionDate>2025-02-06</ns0:ActionDate>
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				<ns0:ActionText>AMENDED_ASSEMBLY</ns0:ActionText>
				<ns0:ActionDate>2025-03-17</ns0:ActionDate>
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				<ns0:ActionDate>2025-04-02</ns0:ActionDate>
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				<ns0:ActionDate>2025-04-24</ns0:ActionDate>
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			<ns0:Action>
				<ns0:ActionText>AMENDED_SENATE</ns0:ActionText>
				<ns0:ActionDate>2025-06-13</ns0:ActionDate>
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				<ns0:ActionText>PASSED_SENATE</ns0:ActionText>
				<ns0:ActionDate>2025-07-17</ns0:ActionDate>
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				<ns0:ActionText>ENROLLED</ns0:ActionText>
				<ns0:ActionDate>2025-08-20</ns0:ActionDate>
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				<ns0:ActionText>CHAPTERED</ns0:ActionText>
				<ns0:ActionDate>2025-08-28</ns0:ActionDate>
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				<ns0:ActionText>APPROVED</ns0:ActionText>
				<ns0:ActionDate>2025-08-28</ns0:ActionDate>
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				<ns0:ActionText>FILED</ns0:ActionText>
				<ns0:ActionDate>2025-08-28</ns0:ActionDate>
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		<ns0:LegislativeInfo>
			<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
			<ns0:SessionNum>0</ns0:SessionNum>
			<ns0:MeasureType>AB</ns0:MeasureType>
			<ns0:MeasureNum>463</ns0:MeasureNum>
			<ns0:MeasureState>CHP</ns0:MeasureState>
			<ns0:ChapterYear>2025</ns0:ChapterYear>
			<ns0:ChapterType>CHP</ns0:ChapterType>
			<ns0:ChapterSessionNum>0</ns0:ChapterSessionNum>
			<ns0:ChapterNum>98</ns0:ChapterNum>
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		<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Assembly Member Michelle Rodriguez</ns0:AuthorText>
		<ns0:AuthorText authorType="COAUTHOR_ORIGINATING">(Coauthor: Assembly Member Alanis)</ns0:AuthorText>
		<ns0:Authors>
			<ns0:Legislator>
				<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
				<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
				<ns0:Name>Michelle Rodriguez</ns0:Name>
			</ns0:Legislator>
			<ns0:Legislator>
				<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
				<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
				<ns0:Name>Alanis</ns0:Name>
			</ns0:Legislator>
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		<ns0:Title>An act to amend Section 1799.109 of, and to add Section 1797.10 to, the Health and Safety Code, relating to emergency medical services.</ns0:Title>
		<ns0:RelatingClause>emergency medical services</ns0:RelatingClause>
		<ns0:GeneralSubject>
			<ns0:Subject>Emergency medical services: dogs and cats.</ns0:Subject>
		</ns0:GeneralSubject>
		<ns0:DigestText>
			<html:p>Existing law authorizes a private ambulance owner to operate an emergency ambulance service upon obtaining a license from the Department of the California Highway Patrol, as specified.</html:p>
			<html:p>This bill would authorize those license holders or a person who operates ambulances owned or operated by a fire department of a federally recognized Indian tribe to transport a police canine, as defined, or a search and rescue dog, as defined, that is injured in the line of duty, to a veterinary clinic or similar facility if there is no other person requiring medical attention or transport at that time. The bill would require an ambulance operator, except as specified, that provides transport to police canines or search and rescue dogs injured in the line of duty to develop
			 policies regarding the transport of these dogs. The bill would require these policies to be submitted to, and approved by, the local emergency medical services agency.</html:p>
			<html:p>Existing law requires emergency services and care to be provided to any person requesting the services or care, as specified. Existing law authorizes an emergency responder to provide basic first aid to dogs and cats, as specified, and exempts from civil liability specified emergency personnel who, in good faith and not for compensation, render emergency medical or nonmedical care, including to dogs and cats, at the scene of an emergency, as specified, resulting from any act or omission.</html:p>
			<html:p>This bill would authorize an emergency responder to provide basic first aid to a police canine or search and rescue dog that is injured in the line of duty while the police canine or search and rescue dog is being transported to a veterinary clinic or
			 similar facility, and would exempt that person from civil or criminal liability if they act in good faith and not for compensation to provide basic first aid to an injured police canine or search and rescue dog while the police canine or search and rescue dog is being transported to a veterinary clinic or similar facility, subject to a specified limitation.</html:p>
			<html:p>Existing law makes it unlawful for any person to practice veterinary medicine unless the person holds a valid license, as specified, subject to specified exemptions, including that an emergency responder may provide basic first aid to dogs and cats, as defined, to the extent that the provision of that care is not prohibited by the responder’s employer.</html:p>
			<html:p>This bill would make clarifying changes to those provisions authorizing an emergency provider to provide basic first aid to dogs and cats.</html:p>
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		<ns0:DigestKey>
			<ns0:VoteRequired>MAJORITY</ns0:VoteRequired>
			<ns0:Appropriation>NO</ns0:Appropriation>
			<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
			<ns0:LocalProgram>NO</ns0:LocalProgram>
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			<ns0:ImmediateEffect>NO</ns0:ImmediateEffect>
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				<ns0:TaxLevy>NO</ns0:TaxLevy>
				<ns0:Election>NO</ns0:Election>
				<ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>NO</ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>
				<ns0:BudgetBill>NO</ns0:BudgetBill>
				<ns0:Prop25TrailerBill>NO</ns0:Prop25TrailerBill>
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	<ns0:Bill id="bill">
		<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
		<ns0:BillSection id="id_AB5AEE1E-9300-4808-9F1C-4933B2172D13">
			<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
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				Section 1797.10 is added to the 
				<ns0:DocName>Health and Safety Code</ns0:DocName>
				, to read:
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				<ns0:LawSection id="id_33F02CA0-23DF-400B-85DF-2435CD3F6F10">
					<ns0:Num>1797.10.</ns0:Num>
					<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_065A0E95-894D-46DF-99A4-F9E744E732EB">
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							<html:p>
								(a)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								For the purposes of this section, “police canine” means a canine that is owned, or the service of which is employed, by a state or local law enforcement agency, a correctional agency, a fire department, a special fire district, or the State Fire Marshal for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of criminal activity, flammable materials, or missing persons, the enforcement of laws, the investigation of fires, or the apprehension of offenders.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(b)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								For the purposes of this section, “search and rescue dog” has the same meaning as in Section 54.25 of the Civil
						Code.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(c)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								A person licensed to operate an ambulance pursuant to Section 2510 of the Vehicle Code or a person who operates ambulances owned or operated by a fire department of a federally recognized Indian tribe may transport a police canine or a search and rescue dog that is injured in the line of duty to a veterinary clinic or similar facility if there is no other person requiring medical attention or transport at that time. To the extent feasible, the handler of the police canine or search and rescue dog shall accompany the animal during transport to maintain control of the animal during transport.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(d)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								(1)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Notwithstanding Section 4825 of the Business and Professions Code, an
						emergency responder may provide basic first aid to a police canine or search and rescue dog that is injured in the line of duty while the police canine or search and rescue dog is being transported to a veterinary clinic or similar facility.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(2)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								An emergency responder who acts in good faith and not for compensation to provide basic first aid to an injured police canine or search and rescue dog while the police canine or search and rescue dog is being transported to a veterinary clinic or similar facility is not subject to criminal or civil liability for any injury to the canine that occurs during the emergency transportation or administration of medical care described in this section, subject to the limitation described in paragraph (3).
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(3)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								This subdivision does
						not apply to an act or omission by an emergency responder that constitutes gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(4)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								An emergency responder who provides basic first aid to an injured police canine or search and rescue dog while the police canine or search and rescue dog is being transported to a veterinary clinic or similar facility does not render the transportation or care “for compensation” for the purpose of this section, notwithstanding their receipt of compensation for other services as a result of their employment.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(e)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								This section does not require an ambulance to transport, or an emergency responder to provide first aid to, a police canine or search and rescue dog. A contract for the provision of emergency
						medical response or transport shall not contain, as a condition of award, a requirement to provide care or transport to police canines or search and rescue dogs.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(f)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								(1)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								An ambulance operator that elects to provide transport to police canines or search and rescue dogs pursuant to this section shall develop policies regarding the transport of canines, including, but not limited to, what additional equipment should be carried by the ambulance and any necessary decontamination procedures following the transport of the animal before returning the ambulance to human patient use. The policies shall be submitted to, and approved by, the local emergency medical services agency.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(2)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								This subdivision does not apply to ambulances owned or operated by a fire department of a federally recognized Indian tribe.
							</html:p>
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		<ns0:BillSection id="id_FAEAFEF6-010F-48DD-88FD-5958020F5ED3">
			<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
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				Section 1799.109 of the 
				<ns0:DocName>Health and Safety Code</ns0:DocName>
				 is amended to read:
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					<ns0:Num>1799.109.</ns0:Num>
					<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_DAAD926D-3448-4DA4-9310-242F8E4E2505">
						<ns0:Content>
							<html:p>
								(a)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(1)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								California residents receive comfort and unconditional love on a daily basis from their household pets, particularly dogs and cats.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(2)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								California residents benefit from the special support, comfort, guidance, companionship, and therapy provided by dogs and cats.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(3)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Pets provide critical support to many California residents with disabilities.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(4)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Pets provide assistance and aid in the official duties of military personnel,
						peace officers, law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and search-and-rescue agencies.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(5)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								In enacting this section, it is the intent of the Legislature to authorize emergency responders to provide, on a voluntary basis, basic first aid to dogs and cats without exposure to criminal prosecution or professional discipline for the unlawful practice of veterinary medicine.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(b)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								An emergency responder may provide basic first aid to dogs and cats to the extent that the provision of that care is not prohibited by the responder’s employer, and the responder shall not be subject to criminal prosecution for a violation of any provision of Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 4800) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code resulting from the provision of care described in this
						subdivision.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(c)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Civil liability for a person who is not a veterinarian who provides care to a pet or other domesticated animal during an emergency is governed by the following:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(1)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Subdivision (a) of Section 1799.102 governs care provided by an emergency responder, or law enforcement and emergency personnel specified in this chapter.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(2)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Subdivision (b) of Section 1799.102 governs care provided by any person other than an individual described in paragraph (1).
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(d)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Notwithstanding any other law, this section does not impose a duty or obligation upon an emergency responder or any other person to transport or provide care to an injured pet or other domesticated
						animal during an emergency.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(e)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(1)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								“Cat” means a small domesticated feline animal that is kept as a pet. “Cat” does not include nondomesticated wild animals.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(2)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								“Dog” means a domesticated canine animal owned for companionship, service, therapeutic, or assistance purposes.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(3)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								“Emergency responder” means a person who is certified or licensed to provide emergency medical services.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(4)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								“Employer” means an entity or organization that employs or enlists the services of an emergency responder.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(5)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								“Basic first aid to dogs and cats” means providing immediate medical care to a dog or cat by an emergency responder, in an emergency situation to which the emergency responder is responding, that is intended to stabilize the dog or cat so that the dog or cat can be transported by the owner as soon as practical to a veterinarian for treatment and which is provided through the following means:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(A)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Administering oxygen.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(B)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Managing ventilation by mask.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(C)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Manually clearing the upper airway, not including tracheal intubation or surgical procedures.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(D)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Controlling hemorrhage with direct pressure.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(E)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Bandaging for the purpose of stopping bleeding.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(f)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								This section does not require or authorize the provision of emergency services to dogs or cats in response to a telephone call to the 911 emergency system and is not a basis for liability for the failure to provide emergency services to dogs or cats in response to a telephone call to the 911 emergency system.
							</html:p>
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