The bill amends existing laws regarding the documentation and approval process for emotional support animals (ESAs) in housing. It establishes that tenants with disabilities can request to keep an ESA as a reasonable accommodation, and landlords may deny such requests only under specific conditions, such as if the animal poses a direct threat to safety or health. Notably, the bill mandates that supporting information for the ESA request must be provided by a health care practitioner, rather than allowing it to be optional. This supporting documentation must include details such as the practitioner's license information and the specific therapeutic support the animal provides. Additionally, landlords are prohibited from requesting information that reveals the tenant's disability diagnosis or severity.

The bill also clarifies definitions related to emotional support animals and health care practitioners, ensuring that the latter must be licensed in Montana and have established a client-provider relationship with the tenant for at least 30 days prior to providing supporting information. Furthermore, it emphasizes that emotional support animal registrations alone do not suffice to establish a tenant's need for an ESA. A new provision states that the requirement for documentation does not compel landlords to permit the presence of an ESA if they comply with applicable laws. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the clarity and rigor of the process surrounding emotional support animals in housing situations.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_1(1): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_1(2): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_1(3): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_1(4): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_1(5): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_1(6): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_1(7): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_1(8): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_1(9): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_1: 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_2(1): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_2(10): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_2(11): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_2(12): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_2(2): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_2(3): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_2(4): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_2(5): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_2(6): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_2(7): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_2(8): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_2(9): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_2: 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_3(1): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_3(10): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_3(11): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_3(12): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_3(2): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_3(3): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_3(4): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_3(5): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_3(6): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_3(7): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_3(8): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_3(9): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_3: 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_X(1): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_X(2): 70-24-114, 70-33-110
SB0149_X: 70-24-114, 70-33-110