As Introduced

129th General Assembly
Regular Session
2011-2012
H. B. No. 226


Representative Sprague 



A BILL
To amend section 955.43 of the Revised Code to allow 1
a police dog to accompany its handler in places to 2
which the general public is invited.3


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.21

       (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:38

       (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:43

       (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