Bill > HB668

This bill, known as the "Mara Jade Act," aims to update Georgia law by replacing references to "assistance dogs" and "guide dogs" with the term "service dogs" across various statutes concerning crimes, disability rights, and traffic laws. It also expands the definition of a service dog to include those trained to assist individuals with mental impairments and clarifies that comfort or emotional support animals do not qualify as service dogs. The bill introduces new criminal penalties for interfering with, harming, or causing the death of a service dog, with penalties escalating for more severe offenses, and mandates restitution for veterinary expenses and replacement costs. Furthermore, it establishes penalties for individuals who falsely claim to need a service dog to gain accommodations or rights, and it updates provisions regarding the rights of individuals with disabilities to be accompanied by service dogs in public accommodations, housing, and while training or raising service dogs, including specific requirements for service dogs in training.