The bill amends the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act by introducing new definitions for "emotional support animal" and "service animal." An "emotional support animal" is defined as a dog or cat that provides emotional, cognitive, or similar support to an individual with a disability, without the requirement for training or certification. A "service animal" is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to perform tasks related to a person's disability.

The bill outlines the rights of tenants with disabilities to request emotional support animals as reasonable accommodations in housing. It specifies that landlords may only deny such requests under certain conditions, including if the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or if allowing the animal would result in the cancellation of property insurance or a substantial increase in insurance premiums.

If a tenant's need for an emotional support animal is not readily apparent, the landlord may request supporting documentation from a Rhode Island licensed healthcare practitioner. This documentation must confirm the tenant's disability-related need for the emotional support animal and must come from a practitioner who has established a patient-practitioner relationship with the tenant for at least 30 days.

The bill also states that tenants with a disability-related need for an emotional support animal are liable for any damage caused by the animal to the premises or to other individuals on the premises.

The provisions of this act will take effect upon passage.