IA SF2354

Landlords who suffer unreimbursed damage from a tenant's assistance animal, emotional support animal, service animal, or therapy animal may seek compensation through three mechanisms: the state tax setoff program (withholding from tenant's tax refund), a refundable income tax credit, or a state insurance risk pool administered by the Department of Administrative Services.

Landlords may require a reasonable, refundable damage deposit for emotional support animals and therapy animals, but cannot require deposits for service animals unless prohibited by federal law.

Unless required by federal law, landlords are not obligated to allow emotional support animals or therapy animals that are not dogs as a reasonable accommodation.

Intentionally misrepresenting an animal as an assistance animal, therapy animal, or emotional support animal to obtain housing rights or privileges constitutes a simple misdemeanor.

The Department of Administrative Services may establish a voluntary group insurance risk pool funded solely by participating landlords' contributions to cover damages caused by tenants' assistance animals.