House Bill No. 1178 amends Oklahoma law regarding service animals, specifically addressing public accommodations and the definitions of service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy animals. The bill clarifies that service animals do not include emotional support or therapy animals and allows public accommodations to adopt policies that prohibit animals, except for service animals, from entering their premises. It also mandates that any public accommodation with such a policy must display a sign indicating which animals are prohibited while affirming that service animals are allowed.

Additionally, the bill introduces new legal provisions that make it unlawful for individuals who are not disabled or trained to assist individuals with disabilities to use a service animal to gain benefits or treatment. Such actions would be classified as a misdemeanor upon conviction. Furthermore, it prohibits the misrepresentation of any animal as a service animal for the purpose of obtaining rights or privileges designated for individuals with disabilities, with similar penalties for violations. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.