Prefiled 12/28/2004. Read first time 01/10/2005.   Referred to Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance.

     AN ACT Relating to homeowner's insurance; and adding a new section to chapter 48.18 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 48.18 RCW to read as follows:
     An insurer licensed to write liability insurance, such as homeowner's insurance, in this state may not deny an application for a homeowner's insurance policy, or cancel, refuse to renew, or modify an existing homeowner's insurance policy, on the basis that the applicant or insured owns or harbors a specific breed of dog on the real property, unless the dog is a dangerous dog as defined in RCW 16.08.070. An insurer may require that the insured provide:
     (1) Written certification from the insured that the dog provides little risk based on the dog's nature and history; and
     (2) Written certification that the dog provides little risk based on the dog's nature and history in the form of:
     (a) A written statement from a licensed veterinarian who may be familiar with the dog in question; or
     (b) A written statement from a licensed dog trainer from a canine obedience school; or
     (c) A canine good citizen certificate from the American kennel club.