[NAGDU] Fwd: Service Animals LB 553

Fri Jan 25 02:12:19 UTC 2019


Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 24, 2019, at 9:06 PM, Mike Hingson via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> ADI has adopted the position that there are not Service dogs, but only assistance dogs.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of marianne denning via NAGDU
> Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2019 2:37 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: marianne at denningweb.com
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Fwd: Service Animals LB 553
> 
> I think this is very confusing. There is a difference between an assistance or emotional support animal and a service dog. This does not clarify that to me at all. Is there separate service dog legislation? If so, then that legislation would cover our guide dogs. 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Matt Hackert via NAGDU
> Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2019 4:23 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Matt Hackert <matt.hackert at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Fwd: Service Animals LB 553
> 
> Here is the text for everyone:
> LB553    LB553
> 2019    2019
> LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA
> ONE HUNDRED SIXTH LEGISLATURE
> FIRST SESSION
> LEGISLATIVE BILL 553
> 
> Introduced by Clements, 2.
> Read first time January 22, 2019
> Committee: Judiciary
> 1    A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to civil rights; to require reasonable
> 2    accommodation for a person with a disability to have an assistance
> 3    animal in a dwelling as prescribed; to define terms; and to provide
> 4    a written verification process.
> 5    Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska,
> -1-
> LB553    LB553
> 2019    2019
> 1    Section 1.  (1) For purposes of this section:
> 2    (a) Assistance animal means an animal that works, provides
> 3    assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a
> 4    disability or that provides emotional support to such person that
> 5    alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person's
> 6 disability;
> 7    (b) Disability means a physical or mental impairment that
> 8    substantially limits one or more major life activities of a person;
> 9    (c) Dwelling means any building, structure, or portion thereof which
> 10    is occupied as or designed or intended for occupancy as a residence
> for 11 one or more families; and
> 12    (d) Health service provider means a physician, psychologist, or
> 13    mental health practitioner licensed to practice in Nebraska under the
> 14    Uniform Credentialing Act. It does not include a physician, psychologist,
> 15    or mental health practitioner whose sole service to a resident of this
> 16    state is to provide written verification, including written verification
> 17    from an online or Internet source or web site, in exchange for a
> fee and 18 provides no other service to such resident.
> 19    (2) Any person who offers to rent or otherwise make available a
> 20    dwelling to a resident of this state who is a person with a disability
> 21    whose disability is not readily apparent and who seeks a reasonable
> 22    accommodation for an assistance animal in such dwelling may require that
> 23    the person with a disability provide written verification from a health
> 24    service provider that:
> 25    (a) He or she is a person with a disability;
> 26    (b) There is a disability-related need for the assistance animal;
> 27    and
> 28    (c) The assistance animal assists the person with a disability in
> 29 managing his or her disability.
> -2-
> 
> 
>> On 1/24/19, Julie Johnson via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Could someone cut and paste the text to the list?  I am using older 
>> software and am having difficulty getting to the proposed bill.  BTW I 
>> am a Nebraska resident and am seriously interested in this.
>> 
>> Julie
>> On The Go with Guide-and-Service-Dogs.com 
>> http://www.guide-and-service-dogs.com
>> also find my products in the Blind Mice Mega Mall 
>> <https://www.blindmicemegamall.com/bmm/shop/Directory_Departments?stor
>> eid=1916046>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NAGDU President via NAGDU
>> Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2019 11:04 AM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>> Cc: NAGDU President
>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Fwd: Service Animals LB 553
>> 
>> Matt,
>> 
>> I have attempted to opoen and read the bill but have been unsuccessful.
>> Would you please send it to me directly to
>> 
>> president at nagdu.org
>> 
>> Thank you very much!
>> 
>> Marion
>> 
>> 
>> Marion Gwizdala, President
>> National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU) National 
>> Federation of the Blind
>> (813) 626-2789
>> President at NAGDU.ORG
>> Visit our website
>> Follow us on Twitter
>> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the 
>> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise 
>> expectations because low expectations create barriers between blind 
>> people and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is 
>> not what holds you back.
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Matt 
>> Hackert via NAGDU
>> Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2019 10:03 AM
>> To: NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>> Cc: Matt Hackert
>> Subject: [NAGDU] Fwd: Service Animals LB 553
>> 
>> Good morning,
>> The following is a piece of legislation submitted to the Nebraska 
>> Unicameral. I am afraid I am not well-versed in legalese, but some 
>> things do look concerning, and not just for blind guide dog users.
>> This bill also seems unnecessary.
>> 
>> Is there someone with the expertise to take a look, and give feedback, 
>> and further assistance, if necessary?
>> 
>> Thanks and regards,
>> Matt
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>> Begin forwarded message:
>> 
>>> From: "Hackert, Matt" <matt.hackert at nebraska.gov>
>>> Date: January 24, 2019 at 08:57:38 CST
>>> To: Matt Hackert <matt.hackert at gmail.com>
>>> Subject: FW: Service Animals LB 553
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> From: Jenkins, Carol <carol.jenkins at nebraska.gov>
>>> Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2019 7:36 AM
>>> To: Hackert, Matt <matt.hackert at nebraska.gov>; Altman, Jeff 
>>> <jeff.altman at nebraska.gov>; DeWall, Greg <Greg.DeWall at nebraska.gov>
>>> Subject: Service Animals LB 553
>>> 
>>> Hello,
>>> 
>>> Kim Davis from the Commission for the Deaf told me about LB 553 which
>>> relates to service animals in dwellings.    The link below will take you
>>> to the proposed bill.  Kim copied and pasted specific sections of 
>>> concerns
>>> 
>>> to her, but they are pictures and Jaws won’t read it.  Going to the 
>>> link is better.  Her concern is for deaf-blind and blind individuals 
>>> who use guide dogs, but there are also other disabilities that use 
>>> various service
>>> 
>>> animals.  Thanks
>>> 
>>> Warm Regards,
>>> Carol Jenkins
>>> Cell:  402-440-8120
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> From: Davis, Kimberly J <kim.davis at nebraska.gov>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2019 4:56 PM
>>> To: Beth.Jordan at hknc.org; Coonts, Teresa 
>>> <Teresa.Coonts at nebraska.gov>; Tanya Armstrong <tarmstrong at esu4.net>; 
>>> Flearl, Nancy <nancy.flearl at nebraska.gov>; Jenkins, Carol 
>>> <carol.jenkins at nebraska.gov>; Harrie, Brooke 
>>> <brooke.harrie at nebraska.gov>
>>> Subject: Service Animals LB 553
>>> 
>>> Nebraska LB 553 relates to assistance animal in a dwelling….
>>> https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/106/PDF/Intro/LB553.pdf.
>>> 
>>> My concern is with the written verification process.  I found a 
>>> “Special Attention” memo/document by the US Dept of Housing and Urban Development.
>>> Excerpted from this memo/document below points out when can proof of 
>>> a disability be considered and when it shouldn’t.  If you want the 
>>> direct link of this document/memo, it can be found at 
>>> https://archives.hud.gov/news/2013/servanimals_ntcfheo2013-01.pdf
>>> (from page 3-4).  Would love to know your thoughts of this proposed language in
>>> this bill.   By the way, I think I will get a gorilla who can sign!  J
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Kim Davis
>>> Advocacy Specialist
>>> Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
>>> 4600 Valley Road, Suite 420
>>> Lincoln NE 68510
>>> (402) 261-2657 VP/VRS
>>> (800) 545-6244 V/TTY
>>> (402) 742-1120 FAX
>>> www.ncdhh.nebraska.gov
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> This message (including any attachments) contains confidential 
>>> information
>>> 
>>> intended for a specific individual and purpose, and is protected by law.
>>> If you are not the intended recipient, you should delete this message.
>>> Any disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message, or the 
>>> taking of
>>> 
>>> any action based on it, is strictly prohibited.
>>> 
>>> 
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