HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2333

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                       Human Services

Title:  An act relating to guide and service dogs.

Brief Description:  Redefining guide and service dogs.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Vance, Winsley, Roland, Tate, Leonard, Hochstatter, Hargrove, Nealey, Forner, Paris and Carlson.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Human Services, February 6, 1992, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Leonard, Chair; Riley, Vice Chair; Winsley, Ranking Minority Member; Tate, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson; Beck; Brekke; Hargrove; Hochstatter; R. King; and H. Myers.

Staff:  David Knutson (786-7146).

Background:  The policy of Washington state regarding blind, handicapped, and impaired citizens is to guarantee them the same rights as other citizens to the full and free use of all public places.  This includes full and equal access to any place open to the general public.  It is illegal to deny access to any place open to the general public to a blind, impaired, or disabled person accompanied by a trained or approved guide dog or service dog.  Guide dogs and service dogs not yet trained or approved have been denied access to some places which are open to the public.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The definition of guide dog and service dog is expanded to include dogs who are currently in training.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Guide and service dogs accompanied by a trainer are entitled to enter any place open and accessible to the general public.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Trainers of guide or service dogs should be allowed to take the dogs into all public places blind and disabled people can go with guide and service dogs.  Many trainers involved with the 4-H program who train guide or service dogs have been denied access to places open to the public.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Doug Prindle, Lindsey Ross, Aaron Prindle, Marianne Wilson, Mary Ross, Claudia Quinn, Glen Allred and Christine Wilson, Future Vision 4-H Club; and Mrs. John Meads, Pierce, Mason, and Thurston Counties Coordinator Puppy Raisers.