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: CS/SB 226
INTRODUCER: Senator Powell and others
SUBJECT: Care for Retired Law Enforcement Dogs
DATE: February 25, 2022
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Cellon Jones CJ Favorable
2. Kolich Harkness ACJ Recommend: Favorable
3. Kolich Sadberry AP Fav/CS
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information:
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes
I. Summary:
CS/SB 226 creates the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program. The program will provide
reimbursement for up to $1,500 of annual veterinary costs associated with caring for a retired
police 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 or
correctional agency and that the dog served for 5 years or more. If the dog served more than one
agency during its career, documentation from two or more law enforcement agencies or
correctional agencies showing a total of at least 5 years of service is acceptable. Valid
documentation is also required if the dog served 3 years or more with one or more law
enforcement or correctional agencies, was injured in the line of duty while serving with a law
enforcement or correctional agency, and retired from the agency the dog was serving with at the
time of the injury due to injury. 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.
REVISED: BILL: CS/SB 226 Page 2
II. Present Situation:
Police dogs have become an integral part of many law enforcement and correctional efforts
statewide, including suspect apprehension through tracking and searching, evidence location,
drug and bomb detection, and search and rescue operations.
1
Police 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 Police Dogs Program (program) within the FDLE to provide
a stable funding source for veterinary care for retired police 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 police 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.
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: CS/SB 226 Page 3
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 police dogs in complying with the bill.
The program will provide up to $1,500 annually, per dog, to any former handler or adopter of a
retired police dog for reimbursement of veterinary care for the dog. In order to receive these
funds, valid documentation must be received from the agency verifying:
The dog served 5 years or more with that agency;
The dog served a total of 5 years or more with two or more law enforcement or correctional
agencies; or
The dog served 3 years or more with one or more law enforcement or correctional agencies,
was injured in the line of duty while serving with a law enforcement or correctional agency,
and retired from the agency the dog was serving with at the time of the injury due to such
injury.
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 police dog” is defined as a dog who has been in the service of or employed by a law
enforcement agency or a correctional 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
police 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 defines “correctional agency” as a state or local public agency having primary
responsibility for the supervision, protection, care, custody, control, or investigation of inmates
at a correctional institution.
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
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 BILL: CS/SB 226 Page 4
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;
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 police 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 police 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.
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: CS/SB 226 Page 5
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None identified.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
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:
Committee Substitute – Statement of Substantial Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
CS by Appropriations on February 24, 2022:
The committee substitute:
Changes the program title from “The Care for Retired Law Enforcement Dogs
Program” to “The Care for Retired Police Dogs Program” and replaces the term law
enforcement dog with police dog.
Provides a definition for “correctional agency” and expands the program criteria for
reimbursement to include correctional agency service. BILL: CS/SB 226 Page 6
Expands the program eligibility to include a dog that served 3 years or more with one
or more law enforcement or correctional agencies, was injured in the line of duty
while serving with a law enforcement or correctional agency, and retired from the
agency they were serving with at the time of the injury due to such injury.
A. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.