Bill Text: VA HB2329 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Care for Retired Police Canines Grant Program and Fund; established.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-07 - Left in Appropriations [HB2329 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2023-HB2329-Introduced.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 9.1 a chapter numbered 16, consisting of sections numbered 9.1-1600 and 9.1-1601, as follows:
§9.1-1600. Establishment of the Care for Retired Police Canines Grant Program; Department of Criminal Justice Services to issue guidelines.
A. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Eligible retired police canine" means a canine that has served a total of (i) five years or more with one or more law-enforcement agencies or correctional facilities or (ii) three years or more with one or more law-enforcement agencies or correctional facilities and retired from such agencies or facilities due to an injury sustained while the canine was engaged in the performance of its duties.
"Veterinary care" means the treatment provided in the course of the practice of veterinary medicine pursuant to Chapter 38 (§54.1-3800 et seq.) of Title 54.1.
B. The Care for Retired Police Canines Grant Program is hereby established to award grants to eligible nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation under §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code for the purpose of providing funding for the veterinary care of eligible retired police canines. The Department of Criminal Justice Services shall issue guidelines for the grant application process, criteria for award of such grants, the process for the disbursement of such grant funds, and limits on grant amounts. Such guidelines shall include that (i) such grant shall be awarded to nonprofit organizations that specialize in the protection or care of retired police canines and (ii) the disbursement of such grant funds to the owner or handler of an eligible police canine shall not exceed $1,500 per year.
§9.1-1601. Establishment of the Care for Retired Police Canines Grant Fund.
There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Care for Retired Police Canines Grant Fund, referred to in this chapter as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All funds appropriated for such purpose and any gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds received on its behalf shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Any moneys remaining in the fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of the Care for Retired Police Canines Grant Program established pursuant to § 9.1-1600. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director of the Department of Criminal Justice Services.
