(a) For purposes of this section:

(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 the State.

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

(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) “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.

(b) (1) The Department, as defined in paragraph (a)(1)a., b., c., or d. of this section, 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 law-enforcement canines retired from Departments as defined in paragraph (a)(1)e. of this section, shall reimburse an owner up to $1,500 annually for veterinary care expenses paid by the owner for the care of the retired law-enforcement canine.

(c) (1) The Department, as defined in paragraph (a)(1)a., b., c., or d. of this section, 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 of a Department as defined in paragraph (a)(1)e. of this section.

(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.

84 Del. Laws, c. 164, § 1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 495, § 1;