Oklahoma has just taken a step to fortify the protections for service animals and their owners, as House Bill 1178 officially becomes law, maneuvering past the governor's veto. This new legislation is honing the definition of what constitutes a service animal and putting up safeguards for individuals with disabilities who depend on them.
The bill, championed by Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, explicitly states that only animals trained to assist individuals with disabilities will be recognized as service animals. In addition, those attempting to deceptively present their pets as service animals to unlawfully reap benefits will now face misdemeanor charges, according to The House's official news release. This update, Stark says, is a "significant step toward protecting the rights of those who rely on service animals for daily support."
Under the new regulations, it will be necessary for businesses and public venues that typically don't allow animals to post signs clearly stating the admissibility of service animals. Should these establishments inquire about the status of a service animal, they must adhere to the existing federal guidelines. These guidelines are designed to uphold the rights of individuals with service animals and ensure clarity in public spaces.
Alongside Stark, Senator David Bullard, R-Durant, advocated for the bill in the Senate, emphasizing the balance it strikes in protecting the genuine needs of Oklahomans with service animals, saying, "By making it a misdemeanor to falsely claim a pet is a service animal, we’re creating a deterrent that protects those with legitimate needs from discrimination, harassment, and unfair treatment," according to The House's official news release. The law will come into force on November 1, with consequences for anyone caught misrepresenting a pet as a service animal.
