HB502 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code Section 21-7-4 to define "service animal" as any dog individually trained to perform work or tasks for a person with a disability.

• Grants people with disabilities the right to be accompanied by service animals in all public places, including public and private schools, without paying extra charges.

• Extends service animal access rights to persons who are blind, partially blind, hearing-impaired, or diagnosed on the autism spectrum.

• Allows persons training service animals to receive the same public access privileges as individuals with disabilities using trained service animals.

• Requires aides assigned to disabled children to be trained in basic service animal commands to assist the child as a team.

• Maintains that handlers remain liable for any damages caused by their service animals to premises or facilities.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.