HF 2333 (LSB 6027YH (2) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2333

BY  HERMANSON

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the right of access for persons with disabilities and service animals and modifying penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 216C.11, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  A person with a disability, a person assisting a person with a disability by controlling a service animal or a service-animal-in-training, or a person training a service animal has the right to be accompanied by a service animal or service-animal-in-training, under control, in any of the places listed in sections 216C.3 and 216C.4 and any other place where a service animal or service-animal-in-training is otherwise permitted or allowed by law without being required to make additional payment for the service animal or service-animal-in-training. The person is liable for damage done to any premises or facility by a service animal or a service-animal-in-training.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   Under current law, a person with a disability, a person assisting a person with a disability by controlling a service animal or a service-animal-in-training, or a person training a service animal has the right to be accompanied by a service animal or service-animal-in-training to streets, highways, sidewalks, walkways, public buildings, public places, public elevators, public facilities, common carriers, airplanes, motor vehicles, railroad trains, motorbuses, streetcars, boats, public conveyances or modes of transportation, hotels, lodging places, eating places, places of public accommodation or amusement or resort, and other places the general public is invited. A person who knowingly denies or interferes with this right is guilty of a simple misdemeanor. This bill specifies that the right to be accompanied by a service animal or service-animal-in-training also applies in any other place where a service animal or service-animal-in-training is permitted or allowed under state or federal law.