FL H0151

Amends Florida Statute 92.55 to allow courts to permit therapy animals or facility dogs in judicial proceedings involving sexual offenses, child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

Enables victims or witnesses under age 18, persons with intellectual disabilities, and sexual offense victims or witnesses to testify with assistance from registered therapy animals or facility dogs.

Courts must consider the age of the victim or witness, the interests of the parties, rights of litigants, and other relevant factors when deciding whether to permit animal assistance during testimony.

Defines "facility dog" as a dog trained and certified per industry standards that provides unobtrusive emotional support in facility settings to children and adults.

Defines "therapy animal" as an animal trained, evaluated, and certified as a therapy animal per industry standards by an organization that certifies animals for providing animal therapy.

Effective date: July 1, 2017.