Relates to providing grant assistance for service dogs

1 Co-sponsor

• Phil Boyle

BILL NUMBER:S838

Title of bill

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to providing grant assistance for service dogs

Purpose

To provide grant assistance of up to five thousand dollars to individuals for whom a service dog is deemed medically necessary by a licensed physician, to assist in covering the costs required for the health or maintenance of such service dog.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends social services law section 303-a subdivision 4 to renumber it to subdivision 5. Subdivision 4 is added to require grant assistance of up to five thousand dollars for the purchase and training, food, and any other expense required for the health or maintenance of such service dog, provided such service dog is deemed medically necessary by a licensed physician.

Section 2 of the bill is the effective date.

Justification

The benefits of service animals as a form of medical treatment for physical and mental disabilities are widely recognized. Licensed physicians often determine service animals to be a medical necessity for individuals with certain mental or physical disabilities. Despite such animals being deemed necessary, under current law, the impaired individual bears the exorbitant cost of acquiring, training, and maintaining the service animal. Therefore, these individuals are often forced to seek outside assistance to alleviate these costs, such as through not-for-profit organizations. By providing a grant to help cover the costs associated with acquisition, training, and maintenance of service animals, this legislation will relieve impaired individuals for whom service animals are deemed medically necessary, of the burden of this high-cost form of treatment.

Legislative history

None

Fiscal implications

The cost implications have not been fully determined.

Effective date

60 days after immediately bill becomes a law.