Connecticut House Bill HB07091

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/19
• Refer: 2/7/19

Caption

An Act Prohibiting The Misrepresentation Of A Dog As A Service Animal.

Impact

If enacted, HB 07091 would modify existing statutes related to service animals. It emphasizes the importance of rightly distinguishing between trained service dogs and pets, thereby protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities who rely on genuine service animals. This legislative move seeks to promote public awareness and compliance within facilities that serve the public, ensuring that accommodations made for service animals do not become undermined by deceptive practices. The bill empowers law enforcement to investigate and enforce provisions against misrepresentation of service animals.

Summary

House Bill 07091 aims to prohibit the misrepresentation of dogs as service animals. Specifically, it addresses situations where individuals falsely present a pet dog as a service animal to gain access to places of public accommodation or other privileges afforded to individuals with disabilities. The bill defines a service dog and outlines the provisions for what qualifies as a legitimate service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act standards. It establishes penalties for those caught misrepresenting their dogs, labeling such an act as an infraction subject to a fine.

Contention

A notable point of contention surrounding HB 07091 involves the enforcement mechanisms and how they balance the rights of those accompanying service dogs with the need to prevent abuse of such classifications. Critics may argue about the potential for discrimination against individuals who legitimately need support from service dogs, as the law opens a pathway for questioning and potential removal from premises if compliance with the definitions set out in the bill is perceived as lacking. Nonetheless, proponents assert that the measure is vital for maintaining the integrity of access for persons reliant on genuine service dogs.