MS HB154

Adds Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) diagnosed veterans of the United States armed services to the list of individuals eligible to use support animals in public accommodations, including public conveyances, hotels, businesses, and places of public resort.

Requires organizations and persons operating professional dog training facilities that provide support animal training to register with the Office of the Secretary of State beginning July 1, 2016.

Establishes minimum training requirements for support animals, including administration of a 14-element Public Access Test (P.A.T.), adherence to four tiers of obedience standards used in K-9 law enforcement, and 120-360 hours of training over 6-12 months with at least 30 hours in controlled public settings.

Requires support animal trainers to provide animal owners/handlers with an application before administering the P.A.T., which must include a certified physician's statement identifying the owner's disability, a veterinary professional's statement, and liability release and responsibility acceptance.

Defines "support animal trainer" as a person registered with the Secretary of State to train service animals for individuals with disabilities, whether as a professional or volunteer with a professional trainer.