HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 1762

BYRepresentatives Walker, Appelwick, Brekke, Wineberry, Winsley and Heavey; by request of Human Rights Commission

Prohibiting discrimination in real estate transactions against physically disabled persons who use guide dogs.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.

      Signed by Representatives Bristow, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Republican Member; Tate, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Anderson, Brekke, Hargrove, Leonard, Padden, Raiter and Winsley.

House Staff:Jean Wessman (786-7132)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 14, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1985, the Legislature added guide dogs for the physically disabled to the provisions concerning protection from discrimination in admittance to public facilities, the penalties for failing to adhere to those provisions, and the precautions for drivers of motor vehicles approaching a pedestrian using a guide dog for the physically disabled.

Since that time, it has been discovered that there are additional areas that require expansion of anti-discrimination provisions.  It is an unfair practice to discriminate because of sex, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical handicap, or the use of a guide dog by a blind or deaf person in the processes and procedures relating to real estate transactions.

SUMMARY:

The use of dog guides and service dogs by physically disabled persons is added to the list of those protected from discrimination in real estate transactions.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Victoria Doroshenko, Guide Dog Owner; Toby Olson, GLDR; Representative Walker.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Persons using service dogs face the risk of discrimination in real estate transactions particularly in being required to pay exorbitant pet deposits for rentals.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.