SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1730        FILED ON: 1/16/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 444

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Mark C. Montigny

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to provide equal access to service animal trainers.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1730        FILED ON: 1/16/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 444

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

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An Act to provide equal access to service animal trainers.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 39F of chapter 129 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is amended by striking the section and inserting, in place thereof, the following new section:-

SECTION 39F. (a)  A person accompanied by and engaged in the raising or training of a service dog, including a hearing, guide or assistance dog, shall have the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as those afforded to an individual with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. sections 12101 et seq.

(b) A person accompanied by and/or residing with and engaged in the raising or training of a service animal including a hearing, guide or assistance animal, shall have the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as those afforded to an individual with a disability under the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. 3604 et seq. and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. section 794 and 24 CFR 5.306.