S.B. 2461 Summary

• Establishes a civil penalty for knowingly misrepresenting an animal as a service animal, with fines of $100-$250 for first violation and minimum $500 for subsequent violations.

• Defines "service animal" as a dog individually trained to perform work or tasks directly related to a person's disability, excluding emotional support animals and animals from other species.

• Clarifies that neither emotional support, comfort, companionship, nor crime deterrent effects qualify as service animal work or tasks under state law.

• Updates Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 347 and related sections to replace "service dog" with "service animal" throughout relevant provisions and apply consistent definitions.

• Effective January 1, 2019.