HI SB2002

Defines "assistance animal" in Hawaii fair housing law as an animal needed to perform disability-related work, services, or tasks, or provide emotional support that alleviates symptoms of a disability, including service animals, therapy animals, comfort animals, and emotional support animals of any species.

Authorizes housing providers to request verification from a treating health care professional, mental health professional, or social worker that a person has a disability and needs an assistance animal, but prohibits requesting medical records, health provider access, or inquiries about diagnosis, nature, or severity of disability.

Specifies that vests, garments, tags, or online registration documents purporting to identify an animal as a service or assistance animal do not constitute valid verification of a disability-related need.

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 515-3 to codify the verification process for reasonable accommodation requests involving assistance animals in real property transactions.

Takes effect November 1, 2022.