Bill
Bill > A5468
NJ A5468
NJ A5468Allows dog owners to procure identification cards for guide or service dogs; appropriates $100,000.
summary
Introduced
03/17/2025
03/17/2025
In Committee
03/17/2025
03/17/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Department of Department of Health (DOH) to develop and make available to the clerk of a municipality or other official designated by a governing body to license dogs, a card that can be used to identify a person's dog as a guide or service dog. The person who owns the guide or service dog may request to apply for the identification card, and the application is to include the owner's name and address and any other information prescribed by the DOH. The bill amends section 2 of P.L.1941, c.151 (C4:19-15.2) to allow the owner of a guide or service dog, at the same time the owner applies for a dog license and registration tag or renews the license and registration tag, to apply for and procure the identification card. The application is to include an affidavit signed by the owner attesting that the dog has been trained as a guide or service dog. A person who knowingly submits a false affidavit with the application is liable to a civil penalty of $500. The bill also amends section 3 of P.L.1941, c.151 (C.4:19-15.3) to stipulate that an identification card issued to a guide or service dog owner does not expire and is to be accepted by all municipalities as evidence that the dog has been trained as a guide or service dog. The bill provides that a guide or service dog owner who applies for an identification card is not to be charged a fee to procure the card.
AI Summary
This bill requires the Department of Health (DOH) to create an identification card system for guide and service dogs, allowing owners to obtain a free, non-expiring card when they apply for or renew their dog's license. The bill amends existing dog licensing laws to enable dog owners to apply for an identification card at the same time they license their dog, with the application requiring an affidavit attesting that the dog has been trained as a guide or service dog. Owners who knowingly submit a false affidavit would be subject to a $500 civil penalty. The identification card will be accepted by all municipalities as proof that the dog is a trained guide or service dog, and dog owners will not be charged a fee for obtaining the card. The DOH is tasked with developing the card and establishing the necessary rules and regulations, and the bill appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to implement these provisions. Guide and service dogs are defined according to existing state law, and the bill aims to provide a standardized method of identifying these specially trained animals across municipalities.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (on 03/17/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5468 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A5500/5468_I1.HTM |
Loading...