Fraudulent Misrepresentation Of A Service Animal

The bill creates a criminal offense of intentional misrepresentation of a service animal (offense). The offense applies to a person who intentionally misrepresents an animal in his or her possession as a service animal or a service-animal-in-training for the purpose of obtaining the rights and privileges granted by law to persons with disabilities with service animals.

The penalty for intentional misrepresentation of a service animal mirrors the penalty for an offender who violates the provisions of the law concerning reserved parking for persons with disabilities. A person who has been convicted of an offense may petition the court to have his or her record of first conviction sealed if he or she has not committed an offense in the 3 years prior to petitioning the court.

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)