Bill > H8215

This bill amends the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act to allow tenants with a disability to request and be approved by a landlord to keep an emotional support animal as a reasonable accommodation in their housing. An emotional support animal is defined as a dog or cat that provides emotional, cognitive, or similar support to an individual with a disability, and does not require specific training or certification, though other animals are not covered. Landlords can deny a request if the animal poses a direct threat to the safety or health of others, poses a significant risk of property damage, or would cause the cancellation or substantial increase of property insurance. If a tenant's need for an emotional support animal is not obvious, landlords may request supporting documentation from a healthcare practitioner who has personal knowledge of the tenant's disability and is acting within their scope of practice, and has established a patient-practitioner relationship for at least 30 days. The bill also clarifies that tenants are liable for any damage caused by their emotional support animal.

Justice

https://status.rilegislature.gov/