FINAL BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 2333

                          C 10 L 92

                     Synopsis As Enacted

Brief Description:  Redefining guide and service dogs.

By House Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Vance, Winsley, Roland, Tate, Leonard, Hochstatter, Hargrove, Nealey, Forner, Paris and Carlson).

House Committee on Human Services

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Background:  Washington state policy guarantees blind, handicapped, and impaired citizens 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:  The governor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment, in conjunction with other organizations involved with the blind and physically disabled, will study and make recommendations on improving enforcement of the white cane law.  The study will also address ways to provide guide and service dogs in training with the training experiences necessary to prepare them for careers as guide or service dogs.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  95   0

Senate 45   0

Effective:    June 11, 1992