The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Appropriations
BILL: SB 226
INTRODUCER: Senator Powell and others
SUBJECT: Care for Retired Law Enforcement Dogs
DATE: February 23, 2022
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Cellon Jones CJ Favorable
2. Kolich Harkness ACJ Recommend: Favorable
3. Kolich Sadberry AP Pre-meeting
I. Summary:
SB 226 creates the Care for Retired Law Enforcement Dogs Program. The program will provide
reimbursement for up to $1,500 of annual veterinary costs associated with caring for a retired
law enforcement dog by the former handler or adopter who incurs the costs. The program will be
administered and managed by a not-for-profit corporation in a contractual arrangement with the
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) after a competitive grant award process.
The bill requires valid documentation of the dog’s retirement from a law enforcement agency the
dog served for 5 years or more. If the dog served more than one agency during its career,
documentation from two or more agencies showing a total of at least 5 years of service is
acceptable. A valid paid invoice from the veterinarian for veterinary care is required in order for
reimbursement of veterinary costs to occur.
The bill includes an appropriation of $300,000 in recurring funds from the General Revenue
Fund for the purpose of implementing and administering the program.
The bill is effective July 1, 2022.
II. Present Situation:
Law enforcement dogs have become an integral part of many law enforcement efforts statewide,
including suspect apprehension through tracking and searching, evidence location, drug and
REVISED: BILL: SB 226 Page 2
bomb detection, and search and rescue operations.
1
Law enforcement dogs cannot work forever
and are faced with natural aging conditions and may have sustained injuries in the line of duty.
2
When it is time for a law enforcement dog to retire, the dog typically lives with their law
enforcement officer partner. Tarpon Springs Police Department K-9 officer, Dobies, retired on
his birthday, after seven years of service.
3
In 2017, two dogs who had both served the Flagler
County Sheriff’s Office for eight years retired from duty in apprehending suspects and sniffing
for narcotics, with a combined 190 deployments.
4
All three of the dogs were to stay at home with
their handlers as pets.
5
The veterinary expenses due to complications from law enforcement K-
9’s injuries, joint problems, or other job-related health problems may be too costly for the former
handler.
6
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
The bill creates the Care for Retired Law Enforcement Dogs Program (program) within the
FDLE to provide a stable funding source for veterinary care for retired law enforcement dogs.
The FDLE is directed to contract with a not-for-profit corporation, organized under ch. 617, F.S.,
to administer and manage the program.
7
The corporation will be selected through a competitive
grant award process and must:
Be dedicated to the protection or care of retired law enforcement dogs.
Hold tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue code as an s. 501(c)(3) organization.
8
Have held tax-exempt status for at least five years.
Agree to be subject to review and audit at the discretion of the Auditor General to ensure
accurate accounting and disbursement of state funds.
Demonstrate the ability to effectively and efficiently disseminate information and assist
former handlers and adopters of retired law enforcement dogs in complying with the bill.
1
See e.g., Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Operational Support Department, K-9 Unit, Meet Our Team; available at
https://www.teamhcso.com/SpecialtyTeamMember (last visited October 20, 2021); Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, K-9
Association, available at https://www.pascosheriffcharities.org/k-9-association/k-9-meet-the-teams/ (last visited October 20,
2021); Gainesville Police Department, Patrol Support Bureau, K-9, available at http://www.gainesvillepd.org/About-
GPD/Operations-Bureau/Patrol-Support-Bureau/K-9 (last visited October 20, 2021).
2
For example, in September 2021, three different Law Enforcement K-9s acting in the line of duty were shot by suspects in
Florida. Officials: Florida K-9s shot by carjacking suspect, September 11, 2021, AP News, available at
https://apnews.com/article/police-florida-carjacking-dogs-02ad82fce042d444f7d067151a3aeb30 (last visited October 20,
2021); JSO K-9 recovering after being shot during Nassau County manhunt, Carianne Luter, Social Media Producer,
September 27, 2021, News4Jax, available at https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2021/09/27/jso-k-9-recovering-after-
being-shot-during-nassau-county-manhunt/ (last visited October 20, 2021).
3
Fox 35 Orlando, Florida K-9 retires on his birthday, officers pay tribute with heartwarming final sign-off, January 17, 2020,
available at https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/florida-k-9-retires-on-his-birthday-officers-pay-tribute-with-heartwarming-
final-sign-off (last visited October 20, 2021).
4
FlaglerLive.com, Retirement of Two K-9s, Repo and Reno, Highlights Sheriff’s Award Ceremony, April 26, 2017, available
at https://flaglerlive.com/107363/sheriffs-awards-2017/ (last visited October 20, 2021).
5
Supra note 3 and 4.
6
South Florida Fund for Retired Law Enforcement K-9’s, Who We Help, The Fund, available at
https://soflretiredk9fund.com/about/who-we-help/ (last visited October 20, 2021); The Canine Bible, Police Dog Lifespan:
How Long K9 Work, Live? Retirement & Adoption, May 8, 2021, available at https://www.caninebible.com/police-dog-
lifespan/ (last visited October 21, 2021).
7
Section 617.01401(5), F.S., defines “corporation not for profit” as a corporation no part of the income or profit of which is
distributable to its members, directors, or officers, except as otherwise provided under ch. 617, F.S.
8
See 26 U.S.C. s. 501(c)(3). BILL: SB 226 Page 3
The program will provide up to $1,500 annually, per dog, to any former handler or adopter of a
retired law enforcement dog for reimbursement of veterinary care for the dog. In order to receive
these funds, valid documentation must be received from the agency from which the dog retired
verifying the dog’s service of 5 years or more with the agency or service of a total of 5 years or
more with two or more law enforcement agencies.
The former handler or adopter must submit a valid invoice from a veterinarian for care provided
in Florida and proof of payment for reimbursement to occur. The former handler or adopter may
not accumulate unused funds for the current year for use in a future year. When the annual
funding for the program is depleted, reimbursements must be discontinued for the remainder of
the year.
“Retired law enforcement dog” is defined as a dog who has been in the service of or employed
by a law enforcement agency in this state for the principle purpose of aiding in the detection of
criminal activity, enforcement of laws, or apprehension of offenders. The retired law
enforcement dog must have received certification in obedience and apprehension work from a
certifying organization, such as the National Police Canine Association, Inc.
9
The bill defines “law enforcement agency” as a state or local public agency that has primary
responsibility for the prevention and detection of crime or the enforcement of the penal, traffic,
highway, regulatory, game, immigration, postal, customs, or controlled substance laws.
The bill adopts the term “veterinarian” from s. 474.202(11), F.S., which defines “veterinarian” as
a health care practitioner who is licensed to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine in
Florida under the authority of ch. 474, F.S.
10
The bill also defines “veterinary care” as the
practice, by a veterinarian, of veterinary medicine as defined in s. 474.202(13), F.S. “Veterinary
medicine” includes, with respect to animals, surgery, acupuncture, obstetrics, dentistry, physical
therapy, radiology, theriogenology, and other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine.
11
The bill specifies that the term also includes:
Annual wellness examinations;
Vaccinations;
Internal and external parasite prevention treatments;
Testing and treatment of illnesses and diseases;
Medications;
Emergency care and surgeries;
9
National Police Canine Association, available at http://www.npca.net/ (last visited October 20, 2021). The National Police
Canine Association is one of many such organizations in the country, including The Florida Law Enforcement Canine
Association (FLECA) dedicated to the training and certification of Florida’s Law Enforcement Canine Teams. Florida Law
Enforcement Canine Association, FLECA, available at http://www.flecak9.com/ (last visited October 20, 2021).
10
Section 474.202(9), F.S., defines “practice of veterinary medicine” to mean diagnosing the medical condition of animals
and prescribing, dispensing, or administering drugs, medicine, appliances, applications, or treatment of whatever nature for
the prevention, cure, or relief of a wound, fracture, bodily injury, or disease thereof; performing any manual procedure for the
diagnosis of or treatment for pregnancy or fertility or infertility of animals; or representing oneself by the use of titles or
words, or undertaking, offering, or holding oneself out, as performing any of these functions. The term includes the
determination of the health, fitness, or soundness of an animal.
11
Section 474.202(13), F.S. BILL: SB 226 Page 4
Veterinary oncology or other specialty care; and
Euthanasia and cremation services.
The bill specifies that the not-for-profit corporation is the disbursing authority for the funds
appropriated by the Legislature to the FDLE for the program. The FDLE must pay the not-for-
profit corporation up to 10 percent of appropriated funds for administrative expenses, including
salaries and benefits.
The bill contains legislative findings related to the value of law enforcement dogs to the residents
of Florida.
The bill includes an appropriation of $300,000 for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 in recurring funds
from the General Revenue Fund to the FDLE for the purpose of implementing and administering
the program. The funds will be used to reimburse a former handler or an adopter for the cost of
the retired law enforcement dog’s veterinary care and to pay the contract with the not-for-profit
corporation.
The FDLE is required to adopt rules to implement the program.
The bill is effective July 1, 2022.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None identified.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None. BILL: SB 226 Page 5
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The bill includes an appropriation of $300,000 for FY 2022-2023 in recurring funds from
the General Revenue Fund to the FDLE for the purpose of implementing and
administering the program.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill creates section 943.69 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.