AN ACT to provide limited immunity for medical assistance rendered to certified k‑9 units.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 56 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 143‑514A.  Medical assistance rendered to K‑9 units; limited immunity.

(a)        Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section:

(1)        Emergency medical services personnel. – As defined in G.S. 131E‑155(7).

(2)        Law enforcement dog. – A dog trained for law enforcement use that is (i) actively certified pursuant to federal, national, regional, or State standards and (ii) owned or maintained by a law enforcement agency or other agency for law enforcement or security services, financially or contractually supported by a federal, State, or other agency.

(3)        Law enforcement dog handler. – A law enforcement officer or security professional who is (i) trained to partner with a law enforcement dog in the performance of the law enforcement officer's or security professional's duties, (ii) actively certified pursuant to federal, national, regional, or State standards, and (iii) qualified to train, care for, and work with a law enforcement dog.

(4)        Search and rescue dog. – A dog that is certified as a search and rescue dog by any national certification organization that is deployed by or contracted to work with a federal, State, or local agency or department.

(b)        Immunity. – Notwithstanding any provision of law, an emergency medical services personnel or law enforcement dog handler who voluntarily renders first aid, emergency treatment, rescue assistance, or transportation to a veterinary clinic to a law enforcement dog or search and rescue dog that is unconscious, ill, injured, or in need of rescue assistance shall not be liable for damages or injuries caused by an act or omission in rendering first aid, emergency treatment, or rescue assistance, to the law enforcement dog, resulting in further injury or death of the law enforcement dog, unless the injury or death was caused by gross negligence, willful misconduct, reckless conduct, or intentional wrongdoing by the emergency medical services personnel or law enforcement dog handler.

(c)        Exception. – This section does not apply if the first aid, emergency treatment, or rescue assistance is rendered on the premises of a veterinary hospital or clinic.

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2021, and applies to acts or omissions on or after that date.