Authorizes service animals or therapy dogs to accompany victims of domestic violence at residential programs whenever such accompaniment is reasonable under the circumstances

Title of bill

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to authorizing service animals or therapy dogs to accompany victims of domestic violence at residential programs; and to amend a chapter of the laws of 2015 amending the social services law, relating to authorizing service animals or therapy dogs to accompany victims of domestic violence at residential programs, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S.5372 and A.6626, in relation to the effectiveness thereof

Purpose or general idea of bill

This agreed upon chapter amendment would allow domestic violence victims to bring service animals and therapy dogs into residential programs for domestic violence victims while balancing the concerns of domestic violence shelters.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 of the bill provides that service animals and therapy dogs shall be allowed to accompany domestic violence victims so long as the accompaniment of the service animal or therapy dog does not impose an undue burden on the domestic violence shelter. In situations where the service animal or therapy dog would constitute an undue burden on the shelter, the residential program must make reasonable efforts to facilitate placement of the service animal or therapy dog at an off-site animal care facility.

Section 2 of the bill authorizes the Office of Children and Family Services to promulgate any regulations necessary to implement this Act.

Section 3 of the bill provides that this Act shall take effect one year after it is signed into law

Section 4 of the bill makes technical changes for the bill's effective date provisions.

Justification

Victims of domestic violence who own service or therapy dogs are often reluctant to leave their abusers for the safety of a shelter without taking their animals with them. This reluctance is often due to the need to have their trusted companion with them as well as the fear that their abuser might also harm the animal. Without a guarantee that the animal can accompany them, victims will remain in abusive situations indefinitely.

In situations where a dog serves the dual purpose of being a service or therapy dog, as well as providing companionship to its owner, it is particularly important that residential domestic violence programs permit residents to bring their animal with them.

This legislation would require residential programs managed by the Office of Children and Family Services to allow domestic violence victims entering their shelters to be accompanied by their service or therapy dog.

Prior legislative history

35372 of 2015 (Carlucci) - Passed Senate (Chapter 584 of 2015)

Fiscal implications

None to the state EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that sections one and two of this act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the laws of 2015 amending the social services law, relating to authorizing service animals or therapy dogs to accompany victims of domestic violence in residential programs, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S.5372 and A.6626, takes effect.