Substitute House Bill No. 5288, known as Public Act No. 24-18, updates the general statutes regarding service animals to align with federal law, effective July 1, 2024. The bill revises definitions and provisions related to service animals, expanding the term "disability" and including service animals in training within the definition. It increases the number of days employees with disabilities can use paid sick leave for service animal training from fifteen to twenty days and broadens the scope of organizations that can provide such training. The bill also exempts service animals from licensing fees when owned by a person with a disability or placed temporarily by a nonprofit organization for training. It outlines owner liability for damages if their dog attacks a service animal and makes technical changes to improve legal language clarity.

The bill replaces outdated terms with "person with a disability" and "service animal," removing the requirement for service animals to wear a harness or orange-colored leash and collar. It ensures that individuals with disabilities or those training service animals can access public transportation and public spaces without extra fees and under their control. The bill also makes it a class C misdemeanor to intentionally interfere with the use of a service animal by a person with a disability. Furthermore, it updates language in places of public accommodation to prohibit the refusal of entry to service animals and allows staff to inquire about the service provided by the animal. The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities is tasked with providing educational materials on service animals, and Section 46a-42 of the general statutes is repealed, all effective July 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 5-247b, 14-300i, 22-345, 52-175a, 54-201
VA Joint Favorable: 5-247b, 14-300i, 22-345, 52-175a, 54-201
File No. 190: 5-247b, 14-300i, 22-345, 52-175a, 54-201
JUD Joint Favorable: 5-247b, 14-300i, 22-345, 52-175a, 54-201
File No. 614: 5-247b, 14-300i, 22-345, 52-175a, 54-201
Public Act No. 24-18: 5-247b, 14-300i, 22-345, 52-175a, 54-201