A service dog attends the Green Bay Packers' Salute to Service announcement Oct. 25, 2022, at Lambeau Field. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Protecting people that are in need of service animals or emotional support animals is the goal of a Republican-authored bill on its way to the Wisconsin state Senate.
Assembly Bill 366 looks to prohibit someone from intentionally misrepresenting a pet as a service animal.
“We’re trying to protect the people that have legitimate service dogs, because right now, you can go on Amazon and you can buy a vest that you’ll put on your dog. It says service animal, but it is not trained to be a service animal,” said Rep. Paul Tittl, R-25th Assembly District.
Violators of the law could be fined up to $200 for their first violation and up to $500 for future violations.
Tittl, the author of the bill, said he’s standing up for business owners.
The Wisconsin Restaurant Association says they support this bill as a way to increase employee and customer safety.
“We really want to make sure that our places and our public accommodations are there for the folks who really truly need it,” Wisconsin Restaurant Association Executive Vice President Susan Quam said.
Another part of this bill would strengthen requirements for renters who have emotional support animals (ESA). Some say this will create more accountability, while opponents believe it will broaden the housing crisis.
The bill would require renters wanting an emotional support animal to show proof of a prescription or letter from a licensed health professional. It would also require the individual to have at least a 30-day relationship with the provider.
“There are millions that do not have access to mental health support services in the state, and yet this legislation would require documentation from health care providers — which many people don’t have access to — or mental health care providers that many people don’t have access to,” said Rep. Ryan Clancy, D-19th Assembly District.
The bill would also delegitimize ESA letters offered and purchased online.
Current Wisconsin law says landlords can ask for reliable documentation.
The Apartment Association of Northeast Wisconsin is in favor of the bill, saying it’s seen a spike in fraudulent ESAs since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There is a lot of abuse out there right now in the industry — not just in Wisconsin. I mean, this is the biggest issue across the United States, and unfortunately, it’s hurting the very people that genuinely need it,” Apartment Association of Northeast Wisconsin President Rick Van Der Leest said.
False documentation of an ESA by an individual or a provider would result in a $500 fine.
The bill passed the State Assembly Tuesday and is now headed to the Senate.
Tittl said he anticipates Democratic Gov. Tony Evers will sign the bill.
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