Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB633

Introduced
4/11/25  

Caption

In emergency medical services system, further providing for injured police animals.

Impact

By amending Title 35 concerning the emergency medical services system, SB633 aims to streamline the process whereby police animals receive urgent medical attention. The required protocols will help in quick decision-making during emergencies, potentially saving lives and ensuring that injured police animals receive the care they need in a timely manner. This change could also enhance the operational effectiveness of police units that rely on the health and recovery of their K-9 partners.

Summary

Senate Bill 633 aims to enhance the care and treatment of injured police animals by requiring communications centers that dispatch Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to maintain accurate information about veterinary clinics and emergency departments that can provide medical care for these animals. This addition to the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is focused on ensuring timely transportation and care when police animals are injured during their duty.

Sentiment

The general sentiment around SB633 appears to be supportive, particularly among law enforcement agencies and animal advocacy groups. Advocates highlight the importance of police animals in public safety and security, recognizing their contributions and the risks they face. However, any critiques or concerns regarding budget implications or additional administrative burdens on emergency services have not been significantly highlighted in the available discussions.

Contention

While there does not seem to be prominent contention around SB633 at this time, potential criticisms could arise regarding the feasibility of implementing the bill's mandates across various communications centers statewide. There may be discussions about the allocation of resources, such as whether sufficient funding will be available for the necessary changes to dispatch centers for maintaining and updating required care information for police animals.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB2238

In emergency medical services system, further providing for support of emergency medical services.

PA HB395

In emergency medical services system, further providing for emergency medical responders.

PA HB996

In emergency medical services system, further providing for basic life support ambulances.

PA HB73

In emergency medical services system, further providing for emergency medical responders, for emergency medical technicians, for emergency medical services vehicle operators and for advanced life support ambulances.

PA HB1491

In emergency medical services system, further providing for declaration of policy, for definitions, for emergency medical services system programs and for duties of department; establishing the State EMS Advisory Board; and further providing for emergency medical services patient care reports, for funding, for notification of trauma center closure, for State Advisory Board, for regional emergency medical services councils, for comprehensive plan, for contracts and grants and for scholarships for recruitment, training and retention.

PA SB466

In Commonwealth services, further providing for powers and duties and for curriculum, training and education certification management system; in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for award of grants to fire companies and for award of grants to emergency medical services companies and providing for expiration of authority; and making a repeal.

PA SB582

In grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for award of grants.

PA SB1305

In emergency medical services system, providing for dementia care training.

PA SB1261

In Commonwealth services, further providing for assistance to fire companies and EMS companies; and, in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for definitions, for publication and notice, for award of grants, for consolidation incentive, for publication and notice and for award of grants, repealing provisions relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program, to expiration of authority relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program and to expiration of authority relating to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program and further providing for annual reports.

PA SB623

In general provisions, further providing for definitions; in Commonwealth services, further providing for definitions; and, in emergency responder mental wellness and stress management, further providing for definitions.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.