2017 House Bill 5281

Impose licensure on assistance-animal trainers

Introduced in the House

Nov. 28, 2017

Introduced by Rep. Pete Lucido (R-36)

To mandate that an individual who provides “basic obedience training and instruction for assistance animals” (including both service animals like seeing-eye dogs and "emotional support animals") must complete a government-approved training program that meets the extensive specifications proposed by the bill. An individual would have to apply for a certification (license), pay $100 and get a ID card. The bill also would impose detailed regulations on providing this service, authorize administrative rule-making powers, and essentially impose a new comprehensive regulatory regime on this activity.

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture