An Act To Implement the Recommendations of a Task Force Convened To Evaluate and Recommend Revisions Regarding the Statutory Definition of "Service Dog
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 2285
Committee Amendment CA_A_H943 (House)
Amends: 17 MRSA §1313

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " to H.P. 1648, L.D. 2285, Bill, "An Act To 
Implement the Recommendations of a Task Force Convened To Evaluate and 
Recommend Revisions Regarding the Statutory Definition of "Service Dog'''' 
Amend the bill in section 1 in subsection 9-D in paragraph A in the first line (page I, 
l3 
line 4 in L.D.) by striking out the following: "for an individual with" and inserting the 
following: 'to mitigate the effects of' 
Amend the bill in section 17 in subsection 3 in the first line (page 4, line 26 in L.D.) 
by striking out the following: "or mentally" 
Amend the bill in section 18 in subsection 4 in the last line (page 4, line 38 in L.D.) 
by striking out the following: "or mentally" 
Amend the bill in section 19 in subsection 5 in the 2nd line (page 5, line 4 in L.D.) by 
striking out the following: "or mentally" 
Amend the bill in section 19 in subsection 5 in the 5th line (page 5, line 7 in L.D.) by 
striking out the following: "or mentally" 
Amend the bill in section 19 in subsection 5 in the 7th and 8th lines (page 5, lines 9 
and lOin L.D.) by striking out the following: "or mentally" 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 21 (page 5, lines 18 to 33 in L.D.) and 
inserting the following: 
'Sec. 21. 
MRSA §1313, as amended by PL 1997, c. 611, §5, is further 
amended to read: 
§1313. Motor vehicle drivers 
The driver of a vehicle approaching a totally or partially blind or otherwise physically 
disabled pedestrian who is carrying a cane predominantly white or metallic in color, with 
or without a red tip, or using a guide or persOI'Ial care service dog as defined in section 
12 shall take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to that bl ind or otherwise 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
v 
II 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT .. 1t " 
to H.P. 1648, L.D. 2285 
physically disabled pedestrian, and any driver who fails to take such precautions is liable 
in damages for any injury caused the pedestrian. A totally or partially blind or otherwise 
physically disabled pedestrian, not carrying such a cane or using a gHide or persoAal eare 
service dog in any of the places, accommodations or conveyances listed in section 1312, 
has all of the rights and privileges conferred by law upon other persons, and the failure of 
a totally or partially blind or otherwise physically disabled pedestrian to carry such a cane 
or to use a guide or persoAal eare service dog in any such places, accommodations or 
conveyances may not be held to constitute nor be evidence of contributory negligence.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment clarifies the definition of "service animal." 
This amendment further amends the bill by striking out references to the mentally 
disabled in sections ofthe Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17, chapter 47, subchapter 2. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/03/08 
fr~c 
LD 2285 
LR 3591(02) 
An Act To Implement the Recommendations of a Task Force Convened To Evaluate and Recommend 
Revisions Regarding the Statutory Definition of "Service Dog" 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "A " 
Committee: Labor 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - General Fund 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
Increases civil violation case-loads with a minor effect on fine revenue. 
LR359l(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1