A new bill introduced in the Oklahoma Legislature is targeting the misuse of service animals by individuals without disabilities. House Bill 1178, authored by Rep. Marilyn Stark, would make it a misdemeanor for anyone without a disability or who is not actively training a service animal to use one to gain benefits reserved for individuals with disabilities. The bill also addresses those who misrepresent therapy animals as service animals to obtain rights designated for people with disabilities. Violators would face misdemeanor charges if convicted.
Service animals are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are defined as dogs trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities. HB 1178 aims to preserve these protections while penalizing those who exploit them. The exact fines or punishments for violating the bill have not been specified in the current version.
The bill is currently awaiting committee review and, if approved, will move forward for further consideration in the House. This legislation is crucial in ensuring that those with legitimate disabilities have access to the rights and benefits that service animals provide, while preventing individuals without disabilities from abusing the system. Ultimately, the goal of HB 1178 is to uphold the integrity of service animal laws in Oklahoma.
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