As Introduced

129th General Assembly Regular Session 2011-2012

H. B. No. 226

Representative Sprague 

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A BILL

To amend section 955.43 of the Revised Code to allow

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a police dog to accompany its handler in places to

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which the general public is invited.

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BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1. That section 955.43 of the Revised Code be amended	4
to read as follows:	5

Sec. 955.43.  (A) When either a blind, deaf or hearing	6
impaired, or mobility impaired person or a trainer of an	7
assistance dog is accompanied by an assistance dog or when an	8
employee of a law enforcement agency or a trainer of a law	9
enforcement dog is accompanied by a law enforcement dog that is	10
being used for the purposes of law enforcement or training, as	11
applicable, the person, the employee, or the trainer, as	12
applicable, is entitled to the full and equal accommodations,	13
advantages, facilities, and privileges of all public conveyances,	14
hotels, lodging places, all places of public accommodation,	15
amusement, or resort, all institutions of education, and other	16
places to which the general public is invited, and may take the	17
dog into such conveyances and places, subject only to the	18
conditions and limitations applicable to all persons not so	19
accompanied, except that:	20

(1) The dog shall not occupy a seat in any public conveyance.

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(2) The dog shall be upon a leash while using the facilities	22
of a common carrier.	23

(3) Any dog in training to become an assistance dog shall be	24
covered by a liability insurance policy provided by the nonprofit	25
special agency engaged in such work protecting members of the	26
public against personal injury or property damage caused by the	27
dog.	28

(B) No person shall deprive a blind, deaf or hearing	29
impaired, or mobility impaired person or a trainer of an	30
assistance dog who is accompanied by an assistance dog or an	31
employee of a law enforcement agency or a trainer of a law	32
enforcement dog who is accompanied by a law enforcement dog that	33
is being used for the purposes of law enforcement or training, as	34
applicable, of any of the advantages, facilities, or privileges	35
provided in division (A) of this section, nor charge the person,	36
employee, or trainer a fee or charge for the dog.	37

(C) As used in this section, "institutions:

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(1) "Law enforcement dog" means law enforcement canine as	39
defined in section 955.012 of the Revised Code.	40

(2) "Law enforcement agency" has the same meaning as in	41
section 955.012 of the Revised Code.	42

(3) "Institutions of education" means:

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(1)(a) Any state university or college as defined in section	44
3345.32 of the Revised Code;	45

(2)(b) Any private college or university that holds a	46
certificate of authorization issued by the Ohio board of regents	47
pursuant to Chapter 1713. of the Revised Code;	48

(3)(c) Any elementary or secondary school operated by a board	49
of education;	50

(4)(d) Any chartered or nonchartered nonpublic elementary or	51
secondary school;	52

(5)(e) Any school issued a certificate of registration by the	53
state board of career colleges and schools.	54

Section 2. That existing section 955.43 of the Revised Code	55
is hereby repealed.	56