Bill > HB1178

This bill amends Oklahoma's existing law regarding service animals by clarifying definitions and establishing new penalties for misrepresenting service animals. The bill defines service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy animals, distinguishing between them based on their purpose and functionality. Public accommodations are allowed to adopt policies prohibiting animals, except for service animals, and must post signs clearly indicating their animal policy. The bill introduces criminal penalties for individuals who falsely present an animal as a service animal or attempt to gain disability-related benefits by misrepresenting an animal's status. Specifically, anyone who is not disabled or trained to assist individuals with disabilities and uses a service animal fraudulently, or who knowingly misrepresents an animal as a service animal, can be convicted of a misdemeanor. The law will take effect on November 1, 2025, and aims to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities who genuinely rely on service animals while preventing fraudulent misuse of service animal accommodations.

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http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb1178&Session=2600