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IN SB0240

Bill

Status

Passed

3/21/2018

Primary Sponsor

Jean Leising

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2018 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Establishes requirements for emotional support animals in housing, effective July 1, 2018, allowing landlords to require written verification from a qualified health service provider confirming the tenant's disability and need for the animal.

  • Defines qualified health service providers as licensed psychiatrists, physicians, psychologists, clinical social workers, or advanced practice nurses who have an ongoing treatment relationship with the individual—excluding those who only provide verification letters for a fee.

  • Prohibits landlords from charging fees for emotional support animals but permits them to require tenants to comply with rental agreement terms, pay for damages caused by the animal, and sign responsibility addendums.

  • Creates a Class A infraction for misrepresenting disability status or need for an emotional support animal, making false statements to obtain documentation, fitting non-support animals with misleading gear, or health providers who verify needs without adequate professional knowledge.

  • Grants landlords immunity from liability for injuries caused by a tenant's emotional support animal when the landlord permits the animal as a reasonable accommodation under federal or state fair housing laws.

Legislative Description

Emotional support animals. Provides that a dwelling that is exempt from the Indiana fair housing law is not subject to the requirements applicable to emotional support animals. Defines "emotional support animal". Specifies who may use an emotional support animal, who may prescribe an emotional support animal, and when an individual may be prescribed an emotional support animal. Provides that an individual with a disability that is not readily apparent who submits a request for an emotional support animal that falsely suggests the individual has a disability that entitles the individual to the use of an emotional support animal in a

Last Action

Public Law 162

3/21/2018

Committee Referrals

Judiciary2/12/2018
Civil Law1/3/2018

Full Bill Text

No bill text available