CS for CS for SB 1382 - Service Animals Summary

• Creates new statute section 413.083 establishing comprehensive rights for individuals requiring assistance to be accompanied by service animals in public accommodations and housing, expanding protections beyond previous law.

• Defines service animals as domesticated animals individually trained to perform disability-related work or tasks, explicitly excluding animals that provide only emotional support, crime deterrence, or companionship.

• Prohibits public accommodations from requiring documentation of training, imposing deposits or surcharges for service animals, or denying access based on animal allergies or fear, while allowing exclusion only for animals posing direct threats or displaying inappropriate behavior.

• Grants service animal trainers and puppy raisers with proper certification the same rights as individuals with disabilities to access public facilities and housing accommodations while engaged in training.

• Establishes a second-degree misdemeanor penalty for knowingly and fraudulently misrepresenting oneself as an individual requiring assistance or as a service animal owner or trainer to obtain benefits under the law.