Relating to the offense of intentional misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal or service-animal-in-training

This bill relates to the offense of intentional misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal or service-animal-in-training. Under current law, a person commits the offense of intentional misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal or a service-animal-in-training if the three following elements are established: (1) the person intentionally misrepresents an animal in one’s possession as one’s service animal or service-animal-in-training or a person with a disability’s service animal or service-animal-in-training whom the person is assisting by controlling to obtain any of the rights or privileges set forth in law for such animals, (2) the person was previously given a written or verbal warning regarding the fact that it is illegal to intentionally misrepresent an animal, and (3) the person knows that the animal in question is not a service animal or a service-animal-in-training. The bill strikes the second and third elements. A person who commits the offense of intentional misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal or service-animal-in-training commits a simple misdemeanor. A simple misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than 30 days and a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855.