SB273 Summary

• Allows judges discretionary authority to permit registered therapy dogs to accompany victims or witnesses during testimony, depositions, or initial interviews to reduce emotional distress and enhance testimony accuracy.

• Defines "registered therapy dog" as a trained emotional support dog tested and registered by a nonprofit therapy dog organization with at least 18 months of recorded visits at institutions, current veterinary health certificate, liability insurance of $50,000 minimum, and appropriate identification markings.

• Requires registered handlers to be court-registered volunteers with no convictions for sexual, animal, domestic abuse, or felonies, and must receive instruction from the district attorney's office on legal proceeding protocols.

• When a jury is present, the therapy dog and handler must approach the witness stand outside jury view, with the handler remaining nearby during testimony; the court must inform jurors of the dog's presence and instruct them not to be prejudiced by it.

• Authorizes judges to award costs from discretionary funds to registered handlers to offset financial expenses of using therapy dogs in legal proceedings, effective the first day of the third month following passage and approval.