For purposes of this subchapter:

(1) “Department” means any of the following:

a. Department of Correction.

b. Department of Safety and Homeland Security for the State Police and Capitol Police.

c. Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

d. State Fire Prevention Commission for the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

e. Any police department of a political subdivision of this State.

(2) “Owner” means the person who, under written agreement with the Department that the retired law-enforcement canine or retired law-enforcement horse assisted, has taken possession of that canine or horse.

(3) “Retired law-enforcement canine” means a canine previously trained for and used by a Department to assist with the performance of law-enforcement duties.

(4) “Retired law-enforcement horse” means a horse previously trained for and used by a Department, as defined under paragraph (1)a., b., c., or d. of this section, to assist with the performance of law-enforcement duties.

(5) “Veterinary care” means the medical care provided by a “veterinarian,” as defined in § 3302 of Title 24. “Veterinary care” includes the costs of prescription medication, surgery to remedy substantial risk to life or health, and cremation. “Veterinary care” does not include elective surgery.

(a) [Repealed.]

(b) (1) The “Department,” as defined in § 3095F(1)a., b., c., or d. of this title, that the retired law-enforcement canine assisted shall reimburse an owner up to $1,500 annually for veterinary care expenses paid by the owner for the care of that retired law-enforcement canine.

(2) The Department of Safety and Homeland Security, for a law-enforcement canine retired from a “Department,” as defined in § 3095F(1)e. of this title, shall reimburse an owner up to $1,500 annually for veterinary care expenses paid by the owner for the care of that retired law-enforcement canine.

(c) (1) The “Department,” as defined in § 3095F(1)a., b., c., or d. of this title, that the retired law-enforcement canine assisted shall require that the owner provide documentation of the veterinary care expenses.

(2) The Department of Safety and Homeland Security shall require that the owner provide documentation of the veterinary care expenses for the retired law-enforcement canine that assisted a “Department,” as defined in § 3095F(1)e. of this title.

(d) The Department of Correction, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and the State Fire Prevention Commission shall each promulgate regulations to establish a reimbursement process under this section.

(a) The “Department,” as defined in § 3095F(1)a., b., c., or d. of this title, that a retired law-enforcement horse assisted shall reimburse an owner up to $5,000 annually for veterinary care expenses and farrier services paid by the owner for the care of that retired law-enforcement horse.

(b) The “Department,” as defined in § 3095F(1)a., b., c., or d. of this title, that the retired law-enforcement horse assisted shall require that the owner provide documentation of the veterinary care expenses and farrier services for the care of that retired law-enforcement horse.

(c) If this section is applicable to a Department, then that Department shall promulgate regulations to establish a reimbursement process under this section.