The bill amends Washington state laws to improve accessibility for service animals in training by defining key terms such as "service animal trainee" and "service animal trainer." A service animal trainee is identified as a dog or miniature horse in training to become a service animal, while a service animal trainer is the individual responsible for the trainee's care and training. The legislation specifies that certain public accommodations, particularly those primarily for housing or lodging transient guests, are not required to allow service animal trainees. Additionally, it establishes that misrepresenting an animal as a service animal or service animal trainee is a civil infraction.

The bill further outlines the responsibilities of public accommodations regarding service animals and their trainers, mandating reasonable modifications to policies to allow the use of trained miniature horses. It requires trainers to maintain control of their trainees using a harness, leash, or tether, with exceptions for task performance. Public accommodations cannot deny access to service animal trainers but may remove a trainee if it is not properly trained or is deemed out of control. The legislation emphasizes that public accommodations must accommodate individuals with disabilities while clarifying that they are not obligated to provide care for service animals. Overall, the bill aims to enhance access for individuals with disabilities while regulating the presence of service animals in training.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 49.60.040, 49.60.214, 49.60.215
Substitute Bill: 49.60.040, 49.60.214, 49.60.215
Engrossed Substitute: 49.60.214, 49.60.215
Bill as Passed Legislature: 49.60.214, 49.60.215
Session Law: 49.60.214, 49.60.215