Bill Text: VA SB363 | 2016 | Regular Session | Engrossed

Virginia Senate Bill 363 (Prior Session Legislation)

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Persons with disabilities; rights in public places, fraudulent representation of service dog.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2016-03-29 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0575) [SB363 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2016-SB363-Engrossed.html

16103578D
SENATE BILL NO. 363 Senate Amendments in [ ] -- January 26, 2016 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 51.5-44.1, relating to the rights of persons with disabilities in public places and places of public accommodation; fraudulent representation of a service dog; penalty. ---------- Patrons Prior to Engrossment--Senator Reeves; Delegate: Cole ---------- Referred to Committee on Education and Health ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 51.5-44.1 as follows:

§51.5-44.1. Fraudulent representation of a service dog; penalty.

Any person who knowingly, willfully, and fraudulently fits a dog with a harness, collar, vest, or sign, or uses an identification card commonly used by a person with a disability, in order to represent that the dog is a service dog to fraudulently gain public access for such dog pursuant to provisions in §51.5-44 is guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. [ When it is not obvious what service a dog provides, an entity may only ask (1) whether the dog is a service dog whose presence is necessary due to a disability and (2) what tasks the dog is trained to perform. An entity may not require documentation of certification, training, or licensing of a service dog or documentation of the person's disability. ]