Summary of the Committee Version of the Bill

HCS HB 1231 -- SERVICE ANIMALS

SPONSOR:  Barry (Harding)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Children,
Families and Health by a vote of 9 to 6.

This substitute:

(1)  Prohibits discrimination based on use of a service animal in
housing, employment, transportation, or public accommodations;

(2)  Requires motor vehicles to yield to service animals and
their users;

(3)  Prohibits persons from harassing, interfering with, or
assaulting service animals or their users;

(4)  Prohibits disguising animals as service animals;

(5)  Holds owners of service animals responsible for controlling
their animals and liable for actual damages caused by the
animals; and

(6)  Details penalties and remedies for violations.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of Less
than $100,000 in FY 2003, FY 2004, and FY 2005.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill is consistent with the
service animal provisions of the Americans with Disability Act.
Provisions of the bill are not about pets, but about civil rights
for persons with disabilities who are assisted with daily
functions by highly trained service animals.  The bill requires
owners of service animals to maintain control of such animals
when used as a service animal and that owners will be liable for
any damage caused by a service animal.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Harding; Barbara
Willis; Sandy Goodin; Donna M. Jacobs; Kirsten Richards; Blue
Moon Service Dogs; Service Dogs Today; and CHAMP Assistance Dogs,
Incorporated.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

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Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:00 am