Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to revise laws concerning the documentation of emotional support animals in Montana. The bill introduces new definitions and clarifies the requirements for tenants with disabilities seeking to keep emotional support animals. It mandates that landlords must approve requests for emotional support animals unless the animal poses a direct threat to health or safety. Additionally, if a tenant's need for an emotional support animal is not readily apparent, landlords are required to request supporting information that must include documentation from a health care practitioner, which must detail the specific support provided by the animal. The bill also emphasizes that emotional support animal registrations alone do not suffice to establish a tenant's need for such an animal.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions that protect tenant privacy by prohibiting landlords from requesting information that discloses the diagnosis or severity of a tenant's disability. It also clarifies that the required documentation does not compel landlords to permit the presence of an emotional support animal if they comply with applicable laws. The definitions of "emotional support animal" and "health care practitioner" are revised to ensure that only licensed professionals who have established a client-provider relationship with the tenant can provide the necessary documentation. Overall, the bill seeks to balance the rights of tenants with disabilities while ensuring that landlords have the necessary information to make informed decisions.

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(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: 70-24-114, 70-33-110