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Senate committee hears broad support for bill to certify 'comfort dogs' used by first responders
Summary
SB573 would create training, certification and operational standards for facility comfort dogs and handlers; law‑enforcement, mental‑health and nonprofit witnesses described life‑saving uses and asked for clarifications on ownership, insurance, spay/neuter, and handler training.
Senate Bill 573, introduced by Senator Regina Barcel, would establish certification, training and recertification standards for facility comfort dogs and their handlers, specify minimum training hours, require recordkeeping and define operational policies including retirement and confinement standards.
Law enforcement, mental‑health advocates and nonprofits described how comfort dogs have been used to de‑escalate crisis responses, support victims at…
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