Signed by Governor Mark Dayton

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits intentionally misrepresenting an animal as a service animal in any place of public accommodation, effective August 1, 2018.

Highlights:

• Prohibits intentionally misrepresenting an animal as a service animal in any place of public accommodation (Sec. 2).

• Defines a place of public accommodation to be any business, accommodation, refreshment, entertainment, recreation, or transportation facility, whether licensed or not, whose goods, services, facilities, or accommodations are sold or offered to the public (Sec. 2).

• Defines a service animal as any animal trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 2):

• Guiding an individual with impaired vision;

• Alerting an individual with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds;

• Providing minimal protection or rescue work;

• Pulling a wheelchair; or

• Fetching dropped items.

• Classifies a first violation as a petty misdemeanor and any subsequent violation as a misdemeanor (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the Council on Disability to prepare and make available to businesses a brochure detailing permissible questions a business owner may ask to determine whether an animal is a service animal (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text