[NFBMT] Service Animal Protection Bill Tabled

[Jim Marks]

It is so frustrating to seek protections for our guide dogs only to be
rejected because some legislators are obsessed with the definition of
service animals.  It's incontrovertible evidence the zeal to criminalize
fake service animal fraud hurts us.  Also, it's very clear that most
legislators favor the rights of shop keepers over people with disabilities.
We stood there and told them how we feel, yet they ignored us and pushed an
irrelevant discussion in order to deny our request.  On the other hand, it
takes time for legislators to understand an issue.  The fake service animal
bill has been introduced in previous sessions.  Our service animal
protection bill enjoyed its first consideration this current session.  We
will try again.  We will get the protections we seek in a future session.
The NFB-MT is persistent and relentless, and no one can speak for us or take
away our voice.  


Jim Marks
Blind.grizzly at gmail.com
(406) 438-1421

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBMT <nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of BRUCE&JOY BRESLAUER via
NFBMT
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2019 10:32 PM
To: 'NFB of Montana Discussion List' <nfbmt at nfbnet.org>
Cc: BRUCE&JOY BRESLAUER <breslauerj at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFBMT] Service Animal Protection Bill Tabled

The vote was close, nine yes, ten no.  It seemed to hinge on what is or is
not a service dog and how do you tell definitively.  The case was made that
a service dog could be identified most correctly through a court proceeding,
and that one which is not a service dog could be weeded out via the same
process.  It didn't fly.  At least, not this year.  But we'll be back
stronger than ever next session.  Joy -----Original Message-----
From: NFBMT <nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jim Marks via NFBMT
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2019 12:53 PM
To: 'NFB of Montana Discussion List' <nfbmt at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jim Marks <blind.grizzly at gmail.com>
Subject: [NFBMT] Service Animal Protection Bill Tabled

Well, here's so-called legislative leadership for you.  The Montana
Legislature trips all over itself to criminalize the use of fake service
animals, but it will not grant protections for legitimate service animals.
This morning, the Montana House Judiciary Committee tabled HB 659, a bill
that would provide protections for service animals.  The 10-9 vote to kill
the bill occurred a few minutes after the Committee conducted a public
hearing on HB 659.  Several people with disabilities, including multiple
members of the National Federation of the Blind of Montana, testified in
favor of the protections.  No one opposed our bill.  There is no recourse
when others deliberately or negligently harm or kill our service animals.
Mostly, the problem concerns loose aggressive dogs who are not properly
supervised, but plenty of instances exist in which others intentionally
hurt, harass, and steal our service animals.  The Judiciary Committee sent
its message loud and clear.  The Committee clearly thinks that the rights of
shop owners are more important than those of people with disabilities.  The
fake service animal thing is a red herring that will likely be used to make
it more difficult for legitimate service animal users to make our way in
this world.  Not to worry, though.  We will be back, and we will not rest
until our Legislature does the right thing.  We are both angry and patient,
and that often proves to be an effective frame of mind to accomplish basic
human rights.  So, it's on to the next session, eh?

Jim Marks
Blind.grizzly at gmail.com
(406) 438-1421



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