HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3330 FILED ON: 2/19/2021
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1149
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Paul W. Mark
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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 relative to service dogs.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
Paul W. Mark | 2nd Berkshire | 2/19/2021 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3330 FILED ON: 2/19/2021
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1149
By Mr. Mark of Peru, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1149) of Paul W. Mark for legislation to provide coverage and access to service dogs or service-dogs-in-training for those with qualifying disabilities. Financial Services. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)
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An Act relative to service dogs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
Chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 98C the following new section:-
Section 47LL.
(a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
“Disability” has the same meaning as set forth in the deferral “Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990”, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq., and its related amendments implementing regulations.
“Service dog” has the same meaning as set forth in the implementing regulations of Title II and Title III of the federal “Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990”, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.
“Service-dog-in-training” means a dog or puppy that has been selected for service dog work and is being handled by a service-dog trainer .
(b) Any policy, contract, agreement, plan or certificate of insurance issued, delivered or renewed within the commonwealth, which is considered creditable coverage under section1 of chapter 111m, shall develop a plan to provide coverage and access to a service dog or service-dog-in-training for those with a qualifying disability, in accordance with guidelines developed by the division of insurance. Any person with a qualifying disability shall not be subject to an additional payment obligation, including, but not limited to, co-payments.