[NAGDU] FYI Sharing Fwd: Texas Legislation Impacting Dog Guide Users - Meeting Reminder & Update

[Stacie Hardy - NFBHOU]

Hello all,

Please see the below email regarding an important legislative matter for 
guide and service dog users. Please consider taking part in this call if 
you are available. Sorry for the short notice. Warm regards.


Stacie Hardy <shardy at nfbtx.org>
President: NFB of Texas Houston Chapter
Voice and Text: (346) 704-0190 or (832) 779-7477

"A question never asked is an answer never known"
"Live the life you want!"


-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: Texas Legislation Impacting Dog Guide Users - Meeting Reminder 
& Update
Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2017 21:21:53 -0500
From: Richard Petty <richard.petty at earthlink.net>
To: 'Stacie Hardy - NFBHOU' <shardy at nfbtx.org>
CC: Karen  Petty <kbpetty at earthlink.net>

Stacie,

As mentioned, there will be a call on this issue tomorrow, Monday, May 1 
at 8:00 PM Central Time / 9:00 Eastern Time.

We will use the following conference line

Dial in number: 641-715-0700 Access code: 485681
Updates
A. The updates of house bill HB100 do seem to make it more favorable 
than it was earlier last week. Allowances for denial of service to dog 
guide handlers based on driver allergies is no longer in the bill.
B. Prohibitions against denial of service are in the bill, but no 
enforcement procedures are shown, making the law weaker than what users 
have in some cities. For example, the city of Houston has a complaint 
process that than ban drivers from all services if they have been found 
to discriminate.
C. The updates of the senate companion bill SB176 seem to have similar 
language, although this is from reading a summary of the bill.
D. Any of the earlier provisions could be returned to the bill in 
committee or on the floors of the house and senate. We must be vigilant.

We still believe it is likely the Senate Committee on Transportation 
will work through a combination of the bills, although the bills now 
have similar content. The combined bill could move very fast through 
committee and onto the floors of the senate and house. Time is critical. 
Act now!.

SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
Committee CHAIR - Robert Nichols VICE-CHAIR - Bob Hall  MEMBERS  - 
Brandon Creighton; Sylvia R. Garcia; Kelly Hancock; Juan "Chuy" 
Hinojosa; Lois Kolkhorst; Charles Perry; José Rodríguez.

Suggestions: Write the above committee members and Senator Charles 
Schwertner, as well as your own senator. Write your representative also. 
Include at least items 1 and 2 and as many other of the following as you 
feel comfortable including:
1. Write that you are a dog guide user, if you are. Write that these 
bills impact you as a guide dog user.
2. Urge that they vote against any bill that includes language that 
allows drivers to discriminate against dog guide users based on driver 
allergies.
3. Urge that any law includes requirements that the TNC inform drivers 
of their obligation under law to transport passengers with guide dogs 
and provide for a process in which drivers confirm they have been informed.
4. Urge inclusion of language that provides remedies for those who 
experience discrimination, e.g., removal of driver from the TNC platform 
and all TNC, taxi limousine and demand responsive services.
5. Urge that investigation of charges of discrimination be addressed in 
a manner similar to those included for substance abuse, including driver 
suspension during the investigation.
6. Urge that any law include language that ensures all riders, 
regardless of disability, have the same access with the same wait times 
as any rider.

Any who wish to may track house bill HB100 and senate bill SB176 at
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/

Best,

Richard