FINAL BILL REPORT
HB 1676
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
C 170 L 17
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Concerning crimes involving a dog guide or service animal.
Sponsors: Representatives Sullivan, Hansen, Goodman, Rodne, Shea, Ortiz-Self and Tarleton.
House Committee on Judiciary
Senate Committee on Law & Justice
Background:
Interfering with the Use of a Dog Guide or Service Animal.
It is a misdemeanor for a person who has received notice that his or her behavior is interfering with the use of a dog guide or service animal to continue, with reckless disregard, interfering with the use of a dog guide or service animal by obstructing, intimidating, or otherwise jeopardizing: (1) the safety of the dog guide or service animal user; or (2) the safety of the dog guide or service animal. A subsequent offense is a gross misdemeanor.
It is also a misdemeanor for a person, with reckless disregard, to allow his or her dog to interfere with the use of a dog guide or service animal by obstructing, intimidating, or otherwise jeopardizing: (1) the safety of the dog guide or service animal user; or (2) the safety of the dog guide or service animal. A subsequent offense is a gross misdemeanor.
Injure, Disable, or Cause the Death of a Dog Guide or Service Animal.
It is a gross misdemeanor for a person, with reckless disregard, to allow his or her dog to injure, disable, or cause the death of a dog guide or service animal.
It is also a gross misdemeanor for a person, with reckless disregard, to injure, disable, or cause the death of a dog guide or service animal.
Additionally, it is an unranked class C felony for a person to intentionally injure, disable, or cause the death of a dog guide or service animal.
Theft of a Dog Guide or Service Animal.
It is Theft in the first degree for a person to wrongfully obtain or exert unauthorized control over a dog guide or service animal with the intent to deprive the dog guide or service animal user of his or her dog guide or service animal. Theft in the first degree is a class B felony.
Restitution.
When a person is convicted of any of the above crimes, the person must make full restitution for all damages, which arise out of, or are related to, the criminal offense.
Definitions.
For the purposes of these crimes, the following definitions apply:
"Dog guide" means a dog that is trained for the purpose of guiding blind persons or a dog trained for the purpose of assisting hearing impaired persons.
"Service animal" means an animal that is trained for the purposes of assisting or accommodating a disabled person's sensory, mental, or physical disability.
"Value" means the value to the dog guide or service animal user and does not refer to cost or fair market value.
Summary:
The definitions of "dog guide" and "service animal" are expanded to include dog guides and service animals that are in training.
Votes on Final Passage:
House | 89 | 9 | |
Senate | 49 | 0 |
Effective: | July 23, 2017 |