[Wasagdu] [nagdu] New Law Targets Service animal Impostors

[Debby Phillips]

I think we should look at this, folks.  In spokane, Spokane 
Transit Authority won't even allow their drivers to ask the 
legitimate questions that can be asked.  When drivers have 
objected, the higher ups tell them that they must NOT ask any 
questions.  I guess they can ask, "Is that a service dog?" But if 
the person says yes, no matter how improbable it seems, the 
driver has to allow them on to the bus.     Debby

 ---- Original Message ------
From: Marion Gwizdala via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] New Law Targets Service animal Impostors
Date sent: Wed, 01 Jul 2015 16:25:06 -0400

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Use

FROM: Florida Association of Guide Dog Users

DATE: June 30, 2015

TO: All media

RE: New Criminal Law Effective July 1, 2015

CONTACT: Sherrill O'Brien, President

     (813) 935-0474

                     Sherrill.obrien at verizon.net



NEW LAW TARGETS SERVICE ANIMAL IMPOSTORS



     On July 1, a new law providing criminal penalties for those 
who pass
their pets off as service animals took effect.  This law, 
sponsored by
Representative Jimmy Smith (R-Inverness) makes it a second degree
misdemeanor for any person to knowingly and willfully 
misrepresent herself
or himself as using a service animal and being qualified to use a 
service
animal or as a trainer of a service animal in order to take 
advantage of the
civil rights protections afforded to disabled people with 
legitimate trained
service animals.  Those convicted of a violation of this statute 
would face a
fine of $500 and be required to perform 30 hours of community 
service.  The
entire text of this law is attached to this message.



"The goal of this law is two-fold," says Representative Smith.  
"Its intent
is to enhance the quality of life for those disabled individuals 
with a
legitimate need for a service dog and to make the public aware of 
the
serious detrimental effects caused by their fraudulent actions."



Sherrill O'Brien, president of the Florida Association of Guide 
dog Users
(FLAGDU), a division of the National Federation of the Blind, 
supports the
new law and believes it will be a deterrent to those who abuse 
the system.



"I especially like the idea of requiring impersonators to perform 
community
service," says O'Brien.  "It helps to offset the community 
disservice they
have committed!"

# # #


About the National Association of Guide dog Users

                The Florida Association of Guide Dog Users is an 
affiliate
division of the National Association of Guide dog Users, the 
nation's
leading membership organization for blind people who use guide 
dogs.  NAGDU
is a strong and proud division of the National Federation of the 
Blind.  We
conduct public awareness campaigns on issues of guide dog use, 
provide
advocacy support for guide dog handlers who face discrimination, 
support
sound policy and effective legislation to protect the rights of 
guide dog
users, offer educational programs to school and civic 
organizations, and
function as an integral part of the National Federation of the 
Blind.  For
more information about the National Association of Guide Dog 
Users and to
support our work, you can visit our website at 
<HTTP://WWW.NAGDU.ORG
<http://www.nagdu.org/> > or send an email to <Info at NAGDU.ORG>.



About the NAGDU Guide & Service animal Mobile App

The National Association of Guide dog Users sponsors the NAGDU 
Service
Animal Information & Advocacy Mobile app! This innovative app 
provides
general information about the state and federal laws that protect 
the civil
rights of disabled individuals who use service dogs.  The app 
contains the
full texts of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and each 
of the
state statutes that affirm the rights of those who use service 
dogs, as well
as general guidance concerning access to specific types of 
establishments,
such as hotels, restaurants, taxicabs, health care facilities and 
more.  In
addition, this app provides the ability to directly connect with 
a live
advocate who has been specially trained to resolve access issues 
as they
occur and send an email for more specific guidance.  This app is 
provided by
the National Association of Guide dog Users at no charge as a 
public
service.  To download the app, simply type the term "NAGDU" into 
the app
store's search field.



About the National Federation of the Blind

            The National Federation of the Blind is the oldest 
and largest
organization of the blind in the United States.  The NFB knows 
that blindness
is not the characteristic that defines you or your future.  Every 
day we
raise the expectations of blind people because low expectations 
are the
obstacles between blind people and our dreams.  You can live the 
life you
want! Blindness is not what holds you back.  The Federation 
provides
scholarships to blind students; support for those who are blind 
or losing
their eyesight; advocacy for the blind facing discrimination; and
educational programs for the general public on topics of 
blindness.  The NFB
is not an organization that speaks on behalf of the blind; we are 
the blind
speaking for ourselves.



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