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 AnalystCopyright (c) Missouri House of Representatives