Report on legislation which would create a new definition for a three-unit service dog team

SUMMARY

In a joint report, the Committees on Animal Law and Civil Rights expressed opposition to State legislation which would create a new definition for a “three-unit service dog team.” Under the new definition a three-unit service dog team would be a team consisting of a person with a disability, a trained service dog, and a person over the age of eighteen who has been trained to handle a service dog. The report argues that this new definition would limit, rather than enhance, rights already recognized under NYS Civil Rights Law §§ 47 and 47-b(3). Requiring that a trainer be over the age of 18 and have been “trained to handle” a service animal further restricts current rights to use guide, hearing, and service dogs, or to train them in the first place, and is inconsistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

BILL INFORMATION

A.7958 (AM Jaffee) / S.3866 (Sen. Carlucci) – defines a “three-unit service dog team” and grants rights and privileges to such teams (NYS 2014)