HB 1073 - "Dawson and David Caras Act"

• Establishes that documentation of service animal training is not required for public accommodations to provide services to individuals with disabilities accompanied by service animals.

• Prohibits public accommodations from imposing deposits or surcharges for service animals, even if pets normally require such fees.

• Allows public accommodations to ask whether an animal is a service animal and what tasks it performs, and to exclude animals that fail to remain under handler control, display inappropriate behavior, or pose direct threats to health and safety.

• Protects service animal trainers and individuals requiring assistance from discrimination in public accommodations and housing, with first offense as noncriminal violation ($50 penalty) and second offense as second-degree misdemeanor.

• Makes fraudulent misrepresentation as a service animal owner or trainer a second-degree misdemeanor, effective July 1, 2013.