[nagdu] Fwd: Haslam Signs New Service Animal Regulations into Law

[Jimmy]

Greetings from Tennessee.
	I wanted to update those who do live or travel in the Tennessee area regarding an update to service animal laws. The law,as of July 1, 2013, will come into effect. 
Best,
James
> Subject: Haslam Signs New Service Animal Regulations into Law
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> http://www.dlactn.org/news-events/61-latest-news/127-haslam-signs-new-service-animal-regulations-into-law.html
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> Changes Make it Easier for Service Animal Users to Access Community
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> April 10, 2013
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> (Nashville, TN)— With Governor Haslam’s signature on SB72/HB85 last week, Tennessee has simplified its law for business owners and service animal users. Disability Law & Advocacy Center of Tennessee worked with the Tennessee Disability Coalition and Statewide Independent Living Council to educate law makers on the impact this legislation would have in Tennessee. 
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> The law, effective July 1, 2013 will allow people with disabilities who use guide dogs to go places freely without worrying about taking proof with them. They will no longer need to worry about experiencing problems due to their use of a service animal.
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> While important to people with disabilities who depend on their service animals for full community access, Representative Jon Lundberg, the bill’s House sponsor points out, “We also took steps to protect businesses with this important policy change.”  In line with federal law, Tennessee’s law now allows businesses to ask a person to remove a service animal if it is not house broken or the animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it.
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> Senator Becky Duncan Massey, the Senate sponsor for the bill, believes a change was needed at this time because “over the last year we have seen several businesses act on incorrect information due to the differences between State and Federal guidelines.”
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> Now businesses will not have to worry about accidentally violating people’s rights since state and federal law will be the same on this issue.  As a side benefit, businesses may see an increase in patronage due to providing greater access for all people, including people with disabilities who use service animals
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> Disability Law & Advocacy Center’s Legal Director, Martha M. Lafferty is excited about the policy change, but more so, the friends of disability rights that have emerged from the effort. “In working with both the bill sponsors and our partner agencies we have been gratified to see our strong belief in human rights shared by others.”
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