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H.B. 194

This document includes House Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Mon, Feb 6, 2006 at 11:11 AM by ddonat. -->              1     

SERVICE ANIMALS

             2     
2006 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Paul Ray

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Allen M. Christensen

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends provisions related to service animals, including guide dogs, emotional
             10      support animals, and search and rescue animals.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    amends provisions related to attacking dogs by replacing "assistance animal" with
             14      "service animal";
             15          .    amends portions of the Utah Health Code by:
             16              .    providing definitions;
             17              .    replacing "blind, visually impaired, hearing impaired, or otherwise physically
             18      disabled person" and similar references with "person with a disability";
             19              .    amending a provision that permits requiring a person to provide identification
             20      for a service animal;
             21              .    encouraging that a mental health therapist be permitted to be accompanied by a
             22      psychiatric therapy animal on the same basis that a person with a disability is
             23      permitted to be accompanied by a service animal;
             24          .    amends portions of the Utah Criminal Code by:
             25              .    amending definitions; and
             26              .    replacing "assistance animal" with "service animal";
             27          .    amends portions of the Utah Judicial Code by:


             28              .    amending definitions; and
             29              .    replacing "assistance animal" with "service animal";
             30          .    makes clarifying and conforming changes; and
             31          .    makes technical corrections.
             32      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             33          None
             34      Other Special Clauses:
             35          None
             36      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             37      AMENDS:
             38          18-1-3, as last amended by Chapter 302, Laws of Utah 2000
             39          76-9-307, as enacted by Chapter 302, Laws of Utah 2000
             40          78-20-101, as enacted by Chapter 302, Laws of Utah 2000
             41          78-20-102, as enacted by Chapter 302, Laws of Utah 2000
             42          78-20-103, as enacted by Chapter 302, Laws of Utah 2000
             43      RENUMBERS AND AMENDS:
             44          62A-5b-101, (Renumbered from 26-30-1, as last amended by Chapter 73, Laws of Utah
             45      2001)
             46          62A-5b-102, (Renumbered from 26-30-2, as last amended by Chapter 73, Laws of Utah
             47      2001)
             48          62A-5b-103, (Renumbered from 26-30-3, as last amended by Chapter 73, Laws of Utah
             49      2001)
             50          62A-5b-104, (Renumbered from 26-30-4, as last amended by Chapter 34, Laws of Utah
             51      1986)
             52          62A-5b-105, (Renumbered from 26-30-5, as enacted by Chapter 126, Laws of Utah
             53      1981)
             54     
             55      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             56          Section 1. Section 18-1-3 is amended to read:
             57           18-1-3. Dogs attacking domestic animals, service animals, hoofed protected
             58      wildlife, or domestic fowls.


             59          Any person may injure or kill a dog while [it]:
             60          (1) the dog is attacking, chasing, or worrying [any]:
             61          (a) a domestic animal having a commercial value[, any assistance];
             62          (b) a service animal, as defined in Section [ 78-20-101 ,] 62A-5b-102 ; or
             63          (c) any species of hoofed protected wildlife[, while];
             64          (2) the dog is attacking domestic fowls[,]; or [while]
             65          (3) the dog is being pursued [thereafter] for committing an act described in Subsection
             66      (1) or (2).
             67          Section 2. Section 62A-5b-101 , which is renumbered from Section 26-30-1 is
             68      renumbered and amended to read:
             69     
CHAPTER 5b. RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY

             70           [26-30-1].     62A-5b-101. Definition -- Rights and privileges of a person with a
             71      disability.
             72          [(1) The blind, visually impaired, hearing impaired, or otherwise physically disabled
             73      person]
             74          (1) As used in this chapter "disability" has the same meaning as defined in 42 U.S.C.
             75      12102 of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, as may be amended in the future, and
             76      28 C.F.R. 36.104 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as may be amended in the future.
             77          (2) A person with a disability has the same rights and privileges in the use of highways,
             78      streets, sidewalks, walkways, public buildings, public facilities, and other public areas as
             79      [able-bodied persons] a person who is not a person with a disability.
             80          [(2) The blind, visually impaired, hearing impaired, or otherwise physically disabled
             81      person]
             82          (3) A person with a disability has equal rights to accommodations, advantages, and
             83      facilities offered by common carriers, including air carriers, railroad carriers, motor buses,
             84      motor vehicles, water carriers, and all other modes of public conveyance in this state.
             85          [(3) The blind, visually impaired, hearing impaired, or otherwise physically disabled
             86      person]
             87          (4) A person with a disability has equal rights to accommodations, advantages, and
             88      facilities offered by hotels, motels, lodges, and all other places of public accommodation in this
             89      state, and to places of amusement or resort to which the public is invited.


             90          [(4) (a) The blind, visually impaired, hearing impaired, or otherwise physically
             91      disabled person]
             92          (5) (a) A person with a disability has equal rights and access to public and private
             93      housing accommodations offered for rent, lease, or other compensation in this state.
             94          (b) This chapter does not require a person renting, leasing, or selling private housing or
             95      real property to modify the housing or property in order to accommodate a [blind, visually
             96      impaired, hearing impaired, or otherwise physically disabled person,] person with a disability
             97      or to provide a higher degree of care for that person than for [a person] someone who is not
             98      [physically disabled] a person with a disability.
             99          (c) A person renting, leasing, or selling private housing or real property to a person
             100      [who is blind, visually impaired, hearing impaired, or a person who is otherwise physically
             101      disabled,] with a disability shall comply with the provisions of Section [ 26-30-2 ] 62A-5b-102 ,
             102      regarding the right of [those persons] the person to be accompanied by a [guide or] service
             103      animal specially trained for that purpose.
             104          Section 3. Section 62A-5b-102 , which is renumbered from Section 26-30-2 is
             105      renumbered and amended to read:
             106           [26-30-2].     62A-5b-102. Right to be accompanied by guide or service animal --
             107      Security deposits -- Discrimination -- Animals in training -- Liability -- Identification --
             108      Psychiatric therapy animals.
             109          [(1) (a) The blind, visually impaired, hearing impaired, or otherwise physically
             110      disabled person]
             111          (1) As used in this section:
             112          (a) "Emotional support animal":
             113          (i) means an animal in the possession of a person:
             114          (A) with a disability; and
             115          (B) with specific documentation from a mental health professional that the animal is
             116      needed in a particular location described in Section 62A-5b-101 by the person to address a
             117      mental health condition; and
             118          (ii) does not include an animal in the possession of a person with a disability in any
             119      other location than the particular location described in Subsection (1)(a)(i)(B).
             120          (b) "Mental health therapist" has the same meaning as defined in Title 58, Chapter 60,


             121      Mental Health Professional Practice Act.
             122          (c) "Mental health therapy" has the same meaning as defined in Title 58, Chapter 60,
             123      Mental Health Professional Practice Act.
             124          (d) "Psychiatric therapy animal" means an animal:
             125          (i) specifically trained for use by a mental health therapist in the course of providing
             126      mental health therapy to a person with a disability; and
             127          (ii) in the possession of a mental health therapist.
             128          (e) "Service animal" means:
             129          (i) (A) a guide dog;
             130          (B) a signal dog; or
             131          (C) any other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of
             132      a person with a disability, including:
             133          (I) guiding a person with impaired vision;
             134          (II) alerting a person with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds;
             135          (III) providing minimal protection or rescue work;
             136          (IV) pulling a wheelchair, or
             137          (V) fetching dropped items;
             138          (ii) an emotional support animal; or
             139          (iii) an animal in training to become an animal described in Subsection (1)(e)(i) or (ii).
             140          (2) (a) A person with a disability has the right to be accompanied by a [guide or]
             141      service animal[, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. 12102,
             142      specially trained for that purpose,]:
             143          (i) in any of the places specified in Section [ 26-30-1 ] 62A-5b-101; and
             144          (ii) without additional charge for the [guide or] service animal.
             145          (b) This section does not prohibit an owner or lessor of private housing
             146      accommodations from charging a person, including a person with a disability, a reasonable
             147      deposit as security for any damage or wear and tear that might be caused [by the] a service
             148      animal[.] if the owner or lessor would charge a similar deposit to other persons for potential
             149      wear and tear by an animal that is not a service animal.
             150          (c) An owner or lessor of private housing accommodations may not, in any manner,
             151      discriminate against a [blind, visually impaired, hearing impaired, or otherwise physically


             152      disabled person] person with a disability on the basis of the person's possession of a [guide or]
             153      service animal [specially trained for that purpose].
             154          [(2)] (3) A person[, whether or not the person is blind, visually impaired, hearing
             155      impaired, or otherwise physically disabled,] who is not a person with a disability has the right
             156      to be accompanied by an animal that is in training to become a [guide or] service animal:
             157          (a) in any of the places specified in Section [ 26-30-1 ] 62A-5b-101 ; and
             158          (b) without additional charge for the animal.
             159          [(3)] (4) A [blind, visually impaired, hearing impaired, or otherwise physically disabled
             160      person] person with a disability is liable for any loss or damage caused or inflicted to the
             161      premises by the [individual's guide or] person's service animal.
             162          [(4) Persons] (5) A person accompanied by a [specially trained guide or] service
             163      animal[, or by an animal that is in training to become a guide or service animal, may first be
             164      required] is encouraged to identify the animal by exhibiting one or more of the following:
             165          (a) the animal's laminated identification card [or other];
             166          (b) the animal's service vest; or
             167          (c) another form of identification[, before these provisions apply].
             168          (6) Owners, operators, and regulators of places described in Section 62A-5b-101 are
             169      encouraged to permit a mental health therapist to be accompanied by a psychiatric therapy
             170      animal in the course of providing mental health therapy to a person with a disability on the
             171      same basis as a person with a disability is permitted to be accompanied by a service animal
             172      under this section.
             173          Section 4. Section 62A-5b-103 , which is renumbered from Section 26-30-3 is
             174      renumbered and amended to read:
             175           [26-30-3].     62A-5b-103. Policy of state to employ persons with a disability.
             176          It is the policy of this state that a person [who is blind, visually impaired, and otherwise
             177      physically disabled] with a disability shall be employed in the state service, the service of the
             178      political subdivisions of the state, in the public schools, and in all other employment supported
             179      in whole or in part by public funds on the same terms and conditions as [the able-bodied] a
             180      person who is not a person with a disability, unless it is shown that the particular disability
             181      prevents the performance of the work involved.
             182          Section 5. Section 62A-5b-104 , which is renumbered from Section 26-30-4 is


             183      renumbered and amended to read:
             184           [26-30-4].     62A-5b-104. Interference with rights provided in this chapter a
             185      class C misdemeanor.
             186          Any person, or agent of any person, who denies or interferes with the rights provided in
             187      this chapter is guilty of a class C misdemeanor.
             188          Section 6. Section 62A-5b-105 , which is renumbered from Section 26-30-5 is
             189      renumbered and amended to read:
             190           [26-30-5].     62A-5b-105. Annual "White Cane Safety Day" proclaimed.
             191          Each year the governor shall take notice of October [15th] 15 as White Cane Safety
             192      Day.
             193          Section 7. Section 76-9-307 is amended to read:
             194           76-9-307. Injury to service animals -- Penalties.
             195          (1) As used in this section:
             196          [(a) "Assistance animal" means an animal that is trained or is in training to:]
             197          [(i) lead or guide a person who is blind or has a visual disability;]
             198          [(ii) assist a person who has a physical disability, including hearing impairment or
             199      deafness; or]
             200          [(iii) assist a person who has a mental disability.]
             201          [(b) "Person with a disability" means a person who is blind, visually impaired, deaf,
             202      hearing impaired, or otherwise has a physical or mental disability.]
             203          (a) "Disability" has the same meaning as defined in Section 62A-5b-101 .
             204          (b) "Search and rescue dog" means a dog:
             205          (i) H. [ trained ] with documented training .H to locate persons who are:
             206          (A) lost, missing, or injured; or
             207          (B) trapped under debris as the result of a natural or man-made event; and
             208          (ii) H. [ certified by the National Association for Search and Rescue or a similar nationally
             209      recognized
] affiliated with an established search and rescue dog .H
organization.
             210          (c) "Service animal" means:
             211          (i) a service animal as defined in Section 62A-5b-102 ;
             212          (ii) a psychiatric therapy animal as defined in Section 62A-5b-102 ; or
             213          (iii) a search and rescue dog.


             214          (2) It is a class A misdemeanor for a person to knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly
             215      cause substantial bodily injury or death to [an assistance] a service animal.
             216          (3) It is a class A misdemeanor for a person who owns, keeps, harbors, or exercises
             217      control over an animal to knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly fail to exercise sufficient
             218      control over the animal to prevent it from causing:
             219          (a) any substantial bodily injury or the death of [an assistance] a service animal; or
             220          (b) the [assistance] service animal's subsequent inability to function as [an assistance] a
             221      service animal as a result of the animal's attacking, chasing, or harassing the [assistance]
             222      service animal.
             223          (4) It is a class B misdemeanor for a person to chase or harass [an assistance] a service
             224      animal.
             225          (5) It is a class B misdemeanor for a person who owns, keeps, harbors, or exercises
             226      control over an animal to knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly fail to exercise sufficient
             227      control over the animal to prevent it from chasing or harassing [an assistance] a service animal
             228      while it is carrying out its functions as [an assistance] a service animal, to the extent that the
             229      animal temporarily interferes with the [assistance] service animal's ability to carry out its
             230      functions.
             231          (6) (a) [An assistance] A service animal is exempt from quarantine or other animal
             232      control ordinances if it bites any person while it is subject to an offense under Subsection (2),
             233      (3), (4), or (5).
             234          (b) The owner of the [assistance] service animal or the person with a disability whom
             235      the [assistance] service animal serves shall make the animal available for examination at any
             236      reasonable time and shall notify the local health officer if the animal exhibits any abnormal
             237      behavior.
             238          (7) In addition to any other penalty, a person convicted of any violation of this section
             239      is liable for restitution to the owner of the [assistance] service animal or the person with
             240      [disabilities] a disability whom the [assistance] service animal serves for the replacement,
             241      training, and veterinary costs incurred as a result of the violation of this section.
             242          (8) If the act committed under this section amounts to an offense subject to a greater
             243      penalty under another provision of Title 76, Utah Criminal Code, than is provided under this
             244      section, this section does not prohibit prosecution and sentencing for the more serious offense.


             245          Section 8. Section 78-20-101 is amended to read:
             246           78-20-101. Definitions.
             247          As used in this [section] chapter:
             248          [(1) "Assistance animal" means an animal that is trained or is in training to:]
             249          [(a) lead or guide a person who is blind or has a visual disability;]
             250          [(b) assist a person who has a physical disability, including hearing impairment or
             251      deafness; or]
             252          [(c) assist a person who has a mental disability.]
             253          [(2) "Person with a disability" means a person who is blind, visually impaired, deaf,
             254      hearing impaired, or otherwise has a physical or mental disability.]
             255          (1) "Disability" has the same meaning as defined in Section 62A-5b-101 .
             256          (2) "Search and rescue dog" means a dog:
             257          (a) H. [ trained ] with documented training .H to locate persons who are:
             258          (i) lost, missing, or injured; or
             259          (ii) trapped under debris as the result of a natural or man-made event; and
             260          (b) H. [ certified by the National Association for Search and Rescue or a similar nationally
             261      recognized
] affiliated with an established search and rescue dog .H
organization.
             262          (3) "Service animal" means:
             263          (a) a service animal, as defined in Section 62A-5b-102 ;
             264          (b) a psychiatric therapy animal, as defined in Section 62A-5b-102 ; or
             265          (c) a search and rescue dog.
             266          Section 9. Section 78-20-102 is amended to read:
             267           78-20-102. Damages recoverable for harm to or theft of service animal.
             268          (1) A person with a disability who uses [an assistance] a service animal, or the owner
             269      of [an assistance] a service animal has a cause of action for economic and noneconomic
             270      damages against:
             271          (a) any person who steals or, without provocation, attacks the [assistance] service
             272      animal; and
             273          (b) the owner or keeper of any animal that without provocation attacks [an assistance] a
             274      service animal due to the owner's or keeper's negligent failure to exercise sufficient control
             275      over the animal to prevent the attack.


             276          (2) The action authorized by this section maybe brought by a person with a disability
             277      who uses the [assistance] service animal, or the owner of the service animal.
             278          (3) The measure of economic damages in an action brought under Subsection (1)
             279      regarding [an assistance] a service animal that is not returned or is killed or injured due to an
             280      unprovoked attack so that the service animal is unable [again] to function again as a service
             281      animal includes:
             282          (a) the replacement value of an equally trained [assistance] service animal, without any
             283      differentiation for the age or experience of the animal;
             284          (b) costs and expenses incurred by the person with a disability or the owner, including:
             285          (i) costs of temporary replacement assistance services, whether provided by another
             286      [assistance] service animal or by a person;
             287          (ii) reasonable costs incurred in efforts to recover a stolen service animal; and
             288          (iii) court and attorney costs incurred in bringing an action under this section.
             289          (4) If the unprovoked attack on a service animal results in injuries from which the
             290      animal recovers so it is able to again function as a service animal for the person with a
             291      disability, or if the theft of the service animal results in the recovery of the service animal and
             292      the animal is again able to function as a service animal for the person with a disability, the
             293      measure of economic damages is the costs and expenses incurred by the person with a
             294      disability or the owner as a result of the theft of or injury to the service animal, and includes:
             295          (a) veterinary medical expenses;
             296          (b) costs of temporary replacement assistance services, whether provided by another
             297      [assistance] service animal or a person;
             298          (c) costs incurred in recovering the [assistance] service animal, such as a reward; and
             299          (d) court and attorney costs incurred in bringing an action under this section.
             300          Section 10. Section 78-20-103 is amended to read:
             301           78-20-103. Limitation on cause of action.
             302          A cause of action does not exist under this section if the person with a disability who
             303      uses the service animal or the person having custody or supervision of the service animal was
             304      committing a civil or criminal trespass at the time of the:
             305          (1) theft of, or the chasing or harassment of the service animal by a person who owns
             306      or exercises control over the property upon which the trespass is committed; or


             307          (2) attack upon, or the chasing or harassment of [an assistance] a service animal by an
             308      animal that is currently kept or maintained on the property where the trespass is committed.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-25-06 11:44 AM


Based on a limited legal review, this legislation has not been determined to have a high
probability of being held unconstitutional.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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