Bill > H5504

This bill amends Rhode Island's Fair Housing Practices Act to provide clear guidelines for tenants with disabilities who wish to keep emotional support animals in rental housing. The legislation defines an emotional support animal as a dog or cat that provides emotional, cognitive, or similar support to an individual with a disability, and does not require the animal to be trained or certified. Landlords must provide reasonable accommodation for such animals, with some important restrictions: they can deny the request if the animal poses a direct safety threat or potential property damage, or if the animal would cause insurance cancellation or significant premium increases. If the tenant's disability-related need for the emotional support animal is not immediately apparent, the landlord may request supporting documentation from a Rhode Island-licensed healthcare practitioner who has personally evaluated the tenant and established a patient-practitioner relationship for at least 30 days. The bill includes specific requirements for the supporting documentation, such as the practitioner having a physical office in Rhode Island and providing a written affirmation under penalty of perjury. The tenant remains liable for any damage caused by the emotional support animal, and the legislation limits emotional support animals to dogs and cats. The act takes effect immediately upon passage, providing a clear framework for tenants with disabilities and landlords regarding emotional support animals.