HS HCS HB 1231 -- SERVICE ANIMALS; SEXUAL CONDUCT WITH ANIMALS
(Harding)

This substitute contains provisions pertaining to the use of
service animals by persons with a disability and prohibits
persons from engaging in sexual conduct with animals.

The 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 of the service
animal provisions.

The substitute also prohibits persons from engaging in sexual
conduct with animals, from causing other persons to engage in
sexual conduct with animals, and from permitting sexual conduct
with animals on premises under their charge or control.  A
violation is a class D felony, unless it occurs in the presence
of a minor, in which case it is a class C felony.  Additionally,
courts may prohibit defendants from residing in households where
animals are present, may remove animals from defendants'
households at their expense, and may order psychological
counseling and evaluation for defendants at their expense.

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

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:00 am