HB 116 -- Rights of Persons with Service Dogs

SPONSOR:  Deeken

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Agriculture Policy by a vote of 22 to 0.

This bill defines "service dog" as a dog specially trained to do
work or perform tasks which benefit a person with a disability.
Any person who causes the physical injury or death or fails to
control their animal which causes the physical injury or death of
a service dog is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.  Any person who
harasses a service dog or fails to control their animal which
harasses a service dog preventing the dog from performing its
duties is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.  Civil damages may be
recovered by the service dog owner or the person with a
disability who uses the service dog.

Anyone who impersonates a person with a disability by
representing himself or herself as disabled or represents his or
her dog as a service dog is guilty of a class B misdemeanor and
liable for any actual damages resulting from the impersonation.

The bill contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that service dogs are necessary for
persons with disabilities to participate in activities taken for
granted by person without disabilities.  A service dog is not a
pet but an aid to a disabled person like a wheelchair, hearing
aid, or other device.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Deeken and Skaggs;
Donna Jacobs; and Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Roland Tackett, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:18 pm