HCS HB 1093 -- RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH SERVICE DOGS

SPONSOR:  Myers (Deeken)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Agriculture by a vote of 23 to 0.

This substitute defines "service dog" as a dog specially trained
to do work or perform tasks which benefit a person with a
disability.  Any person who causes the physical injury or death
or fails to control their animal which causes the physical injury
or the death of a service dog is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
Any person who harasses a service dog or fails to control their
animal which harasses a service dog preventing the dog from
performing its duties is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.  Civil
damages may be recovered by the service dog owner or person with
a disability who uses the service dog.

Anyone who impersonates a person with a disability by
representing himself or herself as disabled or represents his or
her dog as a service dog is guilty of a class B misdemeanor and
liable for any actual damages resulting from the impersonation.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of Less than
$100,000 in FY 2005, FY 2006, and FY 2007.  No impact on Other
State Funds of $0 in FY 2005, FY 2006, and FY 2007.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that service dogs are necessary for
persons with disabilities to participate in activities taken for
granted by person without disabilities.  A service dog is not a
pet, but an aid to a disabled person like a wheelchair, hearing
aid, or other device.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Skaggs and Deeken;
Missouri Center for Independent Living; Governor's Council on
Disabilities; Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing; Barbra Willis; and Michelle Reinkemyer.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that further
dissolution of the Blind Pension Fund would be detrimental to
persons dependent upon the financial aid it provides.

Testifying against the bill was Sherri Keller.

Roland Tackett, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:14 am