DE SB219

Creates criminal penalties for misrepresenting a service animal, with a first offense as a $500 civil penalty plus costs and subsequent offenses as unclassified misdemeanors.

Establishes penalties for misrepresenting an assistance animal in housing contexts, with identical penalties to service animal misrepresentation: $500 civil penalty for first offense and unclassified misdemeanor for subsequent violations.

Defines "assistance animal" as a service animal or support animal that meets Fair Housing Act requirements, and "support animal" as an animal providing work, tasks, or therapeutic emotional support to individuals with disabilities.

Clarifies that landlords cannot require pet deposits or additional deposits for assistance animals as a reasonable accommodation under fair housing law.

Updates Delaware Fair Housing Act provisions to align with federal law regarding disability-related inquiries, allowing requests for disability information when an assistance animal is requested and the disability or disability-related need is not apparent.