AL HB460

Allows certified facility dogs to accompany victims or witnesses during legal proceedings when permitted by the court judge to reduce emotional distress and enhance testimony quality.

Defines a certified facility dog as an expertly trained dog from an Assistance Dogs International member organization that has completed two years of specialized training and passed the same public access test as a service dog.

Requires certified facility dogs to be accompanied by certified handlers who have received training from an Assistance Dogs International-accredited organization and training on legal proceeding protocols.

When a jury is present, the certified facility dog and handler must meet with the witness outside the jury's presence, and the dog's presence must remain obscured from the jury at all times with jury instructions that the dog's presence should not create prejudice.

Allows either party in a legal proceeding to request the court examine and confirm the credentials of the certified facility dog and certified handler subject to Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure.