DEFINITIONS
Under public accommodations law:
“Service animal” refers to an animal trained as:
- a hearing animal;
- a guide animal;
- an assistance animal;
- a seizure alert animal;
- a mobility animal;
- a psychiatric service animal; or
- an autism service animal.
Under Interference/mistreatment of service animal law:
“Service animal” means an animal that a person who is impaired by:
- blindness or any other visual impairment;
- deafness or any other aural impairment;
- a physical disability; or
- a medical condition;
relies on for navigation, assistance in performing daily activities, or alert signals regarding the onset of the person’s medical condition.
Accommodation Law
Place of public accommodation commits Class C infraction if:
- refuses access to a public accommodation
- charges a fee for access to a public accommodation
to person using service dog/service animal trainer
A person renting, leasing, or providing real property for compensation shall not refuse to accept a person with a disability as a tenant due to the fact that the person with a disability has a guide dog that assists the person with a disability in overcoming a particular disability.
A voter who requires the assistance of a service animal is entitled to bring the animal into the polls and the voting booth.
A voter who requires the assistance of a service animal is entitled to bring the animal into the polls and the voting booth.
Harassment of/Interference with Service Dogs
A person who knowingly or intentionally:
- interferes with the actions of a service animal; or
- strikes, torments, injures, or otherwise mistreats a service animal;
while the service animal is engaged in assisting an impaired person commits a Class A misdemeanor.
Level 6 felony if the act results in the serious permanent disfigurement; unconsciousness; permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ; or death of the service animal.
Driving Law
A person who drives a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a blind pedestrian carrying a clearly visible white cane or accompanied by a guide dog.
A person not totally blind who:
- approaches a totally or partially blind pedestrian carrying a cane predominantly white or metallic in color, with or without a red tip, or using a service animal; and
- fails to take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to the blind pedestrian
commits a Class C infraction.