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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
07/05/2024 04:26 PM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?SPick=20230&chamber=H&cosponId=42810
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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: June 5, 2024 10:03 AM
From: Representative Dan L. Miller and Rep. Timothy J. O'Neal
To: All House members
Subject: Supporting Veterans & Mental Health by Supporting Service Animals
 
Appropriately trained service animals provide a lifeline of support for veterans, first responders, and other people with qualified disabilities who need them. Service animals are not the same as emotional support animals (although they have their importance as well). But the training is different, the needs are different, and the law is different surrounding them. 

We were approached by veteran services advocates seeking a mechanism to make it easier for service animals to be accepted in public places and to make it easier for people to identify and understand the important role that they play. 

Accordingly, our legislation would amend the Assistance and Service Animal Integrity Act in several keyways to make sure service animals and those who need them are welcomed, understood, and supported throughout Pennsylvania. Amongst other things, our bill:
  • Creates and administers the distribution of a Trained Service Animal Patch;
  • Defines a service animal to better reflect their importance;
  • Codifies state law regarding public accommodation and common carrier access.
This bill does not alter service animal training requirements and is in line with several other states that have recognized the discrimination – often unintended – faced by qualified owners when it comes to the acceptance of service animals in public accommodations. In a similar vein, Reps. O’Neal and Guenst will soon be introducing an additional piece of legislation designed to assist in our shared goals. Together we hope to support our Veteran’s community and Mental Health advocates across the state by making these changes. 

Please join us in co-sponsoring this legislation today. 
 
 

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Introduced as HB2392