H.B. 4052 (H-2): COMMITTEE SUMMARY LEADER DOG ACCESS
House Bill 4052 (Substitute H-2)
Sponsor: Representative Penny Crissman House Committee: Regulatory Affairs
Senate Committee: Local, Urban and State Affairs Date Completed: 5-24-95
The bill would amend the Michigan Penal Code to require owners and operators of public and private accommodations to allow access by trainers of guide or leader dogs who were accompanied by a dog. Currently, the Code requires access by handicappers accompanied by a dog.
Under the bill, an owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent, or employee of any public or private housing, accommodation, amusement, or recreation would be guilty of a misdemeanor if he or she refused to permit a trainer of guide or leader dogs, hearing dogs, or service dogs to enter or use the place when it was available and the trainer was being led or accompanied by one of these dogs. The guide or leader dog would have to be wearing a harness, a hearing dog cape, or a service dog backpack, and the trainer would have to possess picture identification and identification stating that he or she was a representative or employee of an organization or trainer, or was a trainer, included on the Department of Labor’s list of organizations or trainers that train guide or leader dogs, hearing dogs, or service dogs.
Currently, an owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent, or employee of any public or private housing, accommodation, amusement, or recreation, including but not limited to any inn, hotel, motel, apartment building, trailer park, restaurant, barbershop, billiard parlor, store, public conveyance on land or water, theater, motion picture house, public or private educational institution, or elevator, is guilty of a misdemeanor if he or she refuses to permit a handicapper to enter or use the accommodation when it is available because the person is being led or accompanied by a guide, hearing, or service dog. The dog must be wearing a harness or a blaze orange leash and collar, if the dog is a hearing or service dog. Under the bill, the dog would have to be wearing a harness, blaze orange leash and collar, hearing dog cape, or service dog backpack.
MCL 750.502c Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim
The bill would have an indeterminate, although likely minimal, fiscal impact on local government and no fiscal impact on State government.
The expanded provisions in the bill could result in increased misdemeanor violations for individuals refusing to admit trainers of leader dogs. While there are data on the number of estimated future violators, the number of increased misdemeanor convictions is not expected to be significant. A misdemeanor is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $100.
Fiscal Analyst: M. Hansen
S9596\S4052SA
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.