STATEHOUSE (Jan. 29, 2018) – A bill authored by State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) to reduce emotional support animal fraud passed the Senate Committee on Civil Law today by a vote of 6 to 3.
Senate Bill 240 would allow individuals offering to rent or make available a dwelling to those with emotional support animals to request written proof of their need for the animal from a health service provider if their disability is not apparent.
The bill would also make it a Class A infraction if an individual submits a request for an emotional support animal that falsely suggests they have a disability, entitling them to have the animal in a dwelling.
“Emotional support animals are well-disciplined, important assistants to people with disabilities, but far too many people are claiming their pets are emotional support animals so they can live in a building that doesn’t allow animals,” Leising said. “Unlike emotional support animals, these pets are not trained, and they can be a nuisance to other residents and cause damage to the establishment. We need to reserve these rights for real emotional support animals and protect the integrity of those who truly need the animals’ service.”
SB 240 will now move to the full Senate for consideration.
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For a high-resolution photo of Sen. Leising, click here.
