HB 6318 Summary

• Expands definition of "service animal" to align with federal regulations (28 CFR 35.104) and explicitly includes service animals in training across all sections of Connecticut law.

• Increases paid sick leave for state and municipal employees with disabilities from 15 to 20 days to participate in service animal training with organizations that are members of professional service animal associations.

• Broadens protections for service animal handlers in transportation, public accommodations, and housing by replacing narrower references to "guide dogs" and "assistance dogs" with comprehensive "service animal" language.

• Requires transportation network company drivers to accommodate all service animals without additional charges and comply with nondiscrimination laws.

• Establishes that failure of a blind person to use a service animal or cane cannot be construed as evidence of comparative negligence in legal actions.

• Directs the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities to provide educational materials on service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy animals on its website.