Georgia SB 515: Emergency Medical Services; provide emergency transport or care to a police dog injured while on duty in certain instances; authorize ambulance service providers and first responders

Bill Text

22 LC 39 3233
S. B. 515
- 1 -
Senate Bill 515
By: Senators Merritt of the 9th, Mullis of the 53rd, Robertson of the 29th, Anderson of the
24th, Jackson of the 41st and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,1
relating to general provisions relative to emergency medical services, so as to authorize2
ambulance providers and first responders to provide emergency transport or care to a police3
dog injured while on duty in certain circumstances; to provide for civil immunity; to provide4
for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other5
purposes.6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7
SECTION 1.8
Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to9
general provisions relative to emergency medical services, is amended by adding a new Code10
section to read as follows:11
"31-11-13.12
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:13
(1) 'First responder' means any person or agency who provides on-site care until the14
arrival of a duly licensed ambulance service. This shall include, but shall not be limited15

22 LC 39 3233
S. B. 515
- 2 -
to, persons who routinely respond to calls for assistance through an affiliation with law16
enforcement agencies, fire departments, or rescue agencies.17
(2) 'Police dog' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 16-11-107.18
(b) An ambulance provider shall be authorized to transport a police dog injured while on19
duty to a veterinary hospital or clinic or similar facility when no individual requires20
medical attention or transport at such time.21
(c) Any person, including agents and employees, who is licensed to furnish ambulance22
service and who gratuitously and in good faith renders emergency transport or care to a23
police dog injured while on duty shall not be held liable for any civil damages resulting24
from any act or omission by such person in rendering such emergency transport or care25
where the person acts without gross negligence or intent to harm, even where the person26
does so without benefit of the appropriate training.27
(d) Any first responder who gratuitously and in good faith renders emergency care to a28
police dog injured while on duty shall not be held liable for any civil damages resulting29
from any act or omission by such person in rendering such emergency care where the30
person acts without gross negligence or intent to harm, even where the person does so31
without benefit of the appropriate training.32
(e) Any person providing emergency transport or care pursuant to this Code section shall33
not be in violation of Chapter 50 of Title 43."34
SECTION 2.35
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.36