Bill > S09086

This bill clarifies the definitions of "service animal," which is an animal trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability, and "emotional support animal," which provides therapeutic emotional support but is not necessarily trained for specific tasks. It establishes that individuals with a disability are entitled to reasonable housing accommodations for either type of animal, provided they obtain documentation from a qualified practitioner, such as a licensed physician, psychologist, or mental health counselor, who has personal knowledge of their disability and need for the animal, and prohibits landlords from rejecting documentation obtained via telehealth if the practitioner hasn't evaluated the person in person. The bill also specifies that certain privileges, like those related to employment, are restricted to service animals and not emotional support animals, and makes it a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine and community service, for anyone to fraudulently obtain documentation for housing accommodations for an animal.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S9086