SB 1302 Summary

• Amends Hawaii fair housing law to explicitly include service animals as a reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities, consistent with federal Fair Housing Act case law.

• Defines "service animal" as any animal trained to provide life activities limited by a person's disability.

• Allows housing providers to impose reasonable restrictions on service animals regarding excessive noise or other problems caused by the animals, but prohibits refusing to negotiate or engage in housing transactions based on service animal use.

• Specifies that reasonable restrictions may include requiring owners to observe leash laws, assume responsibility for damage, and have units professionally cleaned upon vacating.

• Takes effect July 1, 2050.