[Nfbc-info] Letters of Support for AB 169

[Shannon Dillon]

Goodafternoon,

The National federation of the Blind of California is working on AB
169 concerning protection for guide dogs who are attacked. We need
letters of support.
Please send letters of support for AB 169 by February 19. If you can’t
get a letter out by February 19, please send a letter anyway. The
Assemblyman’s office will continue to accept them. Below is background
information, and contact information for Assemblyman Lackey’s office.

You can support this bill whether or not you have a guide dog, and
whether or not your guide dog has been attacked. If your guide dog has
been attacked, please share your story. Letters of support must be
signed. If you cannot sign your letter and  send it by email or mail,
contact me at shannonldillon at gmail.com and I will help.

Background and Current Law
Currently in California, it is a crime for any person to cause injury
or death to any guide, signal, or service dog, while the guide,
signal, or service dog is in active service. California showed its
support for the disabled community when the Legislature adopted this
law, however, this does not protect service animals in every respect.


The Problem
The protections stated do not extend to service dogs in training, nor
do they apply to those not actively fulfilling their duties as a
service animal. If an off-duty animal is harmed or killed, the owner
is often left without the help of their service dog. Without the aid
of service animals, the independence of the owners is put on hold.
Members of the disabled community are likely to miss work, get
injured, or be unable to complete everyday tasks while trying to get
through without their service animal.

This legislation will enable victims to receive restitution for any
lost wages or medical expenses incurred while they are without the
service of their guide, signal, or service dog.

What will this bill specifically do?
AB 169 will delete the requirement that specified crimes, such as
causing injury or death, against guide, signal, or service dogs must
occur while the dog is in discharge of its duties and would make these
crimes applicable to the injury or death of dogs that are enrolled in
a training school or program for guide, signal, or service dogs, or to
dogs that are currently off-duty.

This bill will also require restitution to the victim with a
disability for medical expenses and loss of wages incurred as a result
of injury or death to his or her service dog. It would also change the
definition of “replacement costs” for which restitution may be claimed
under existing law, to include: the training costs for a new dog, the
cost of keeping the now-disabled dog in a kennel while the handler
travels to receive a new dog, and the cost of the travel required for
the handler to receive a new dog, each of these as needed.

Sponsor
California Council of the Blind
Golden State Guide Dog Handlers

Support
National Federation of the Blind of California
Canine Companions for Independence
ASPCA
Child and Family Center
Guide Dog Users Inc.
Independent Living Center of Kern County

Who is the staff contact for this bill?
Hallie Balch
(916) 319-2036
hallie.balch at asm.ca.gov

Letters should be addressed to Assemblyman Tom Lackey and can be sent to:
Fax: 919-319-2136
Scan: Hallie.balch at asm.ca.gov
Physical Copy: 1303 10th St. Sacramento, CA 95814


Please address the letters to Assemblyman Tom Lackey so that we can
use them throughout the whole process.


There will be a hearing on February 26th from 10-12 in the Capitol,
room 126. Please come join me at the hearing.

Please address letters to:
Assemblyman Tom Lackey, 36th District
1303 10Th Street
State Capitol, Room 2174
Sacramento, CA 95814



-- 
SHANNON L. DILLON
Secretary and Legislative Coordinator
National Federation of the Blind
of California
The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and
friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind.
Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they
want.
www.nfbcal.org