FL S0416

Allows courts to permit therapy animals or facility dogs to assist victims or witnesses under 18 years old, persons with intellectual disabilities, or sexual offense victims or witnesses during testimony in proceedings involving sexual offenses, child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

Removes the requirement that animals be registered according to national standards and instead requires only that therapy animals and facility dogs be trained, evaluated, and certified according to industry standards.

Defines "facility dog" as a dog trained and certified to provide unobtrusive emotional support in facility settings and "therapy animal" as an animal trained and certified by a qualifying organization to provide animal therapy.

Requires courts considering use of these animals to evaluate the victim or witness's age, interests, emotional trauma risk, and other relevant factors that would facilitate their testimony while protecting all parties' rights.

Effective date is July 1, 2017.