An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Task Force To Ensure Integrity in the Use of Service Animals
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1601
Committee Amendment CA_A_H590 (House)
Amends: 17 MRSA §1314-A

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1092, L.D. 1601, Bill, "An Act To 
Implement the Recommendations of the Task Force To Ensure Integrity in the Use of 
Service Animals" 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 9 (page 2, lines 34 and 35 and page 3, 
lines 1 to 18 in L.D.) and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 9. 17 MRSA §1314-A, as amended by PL 2011, c. 369, §8, is repealed and 
the following enacted in its place: 
§1314-A. Misrepresentation as service animal or assistance animal 
A person who knowingly misrepresents as a service animal any animal that does not 
meet the definition of "service animal," as defined in Title 5, section 4553. subsection 
9-E. commits a civil violation. A person who knowingly misrepresents as an assistance 
animal any animal that does not meet the definition of "assistance animal," as defined in 
Title 5. section 4553, subsection 1-H. commits a civil violation. Misrepresentation as a 
service animal or an assistance animal includes. but is not limited to: 
1. False documents. Knowingly creating documents that falsely represent that an 
animal is a service animal or an assistance animal; 
2. Providing false documents. Knowingly providing to another person documents 
falsely stating that an animal is a service animal or an assistance animal; 
3. Harness, collar, vest or sign. Knowingly fitting an animal, when the animal is 
not a service animal. with a harness. collar. vest or sign of the type commonly used by a 
person with a disability to indicate an animal is a service animal; or 
4. Falsely representing animal as service animal. Knowingly representing that an 
animal is a service animal, when the animal has not completed training to perform 
disability-related tasks or do disability-related work for a person with a disability. 
For a civil violation under this section a fine of not more than $1.000 for each 
occurrence may be adjudged.' 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1092, L.D. 1601 
SUMMARY 
This amendment clarifies the terminology in the language of the bill defining the civil 
violation of misrepresentation to align it with the new definition of "assistance animal" 
and the updated definition of "service animal" in the Maine Human Rights Act. The 
amendment makes clear that representing as a service animal an animal that does not 
meet the definition of "service animal," whether it is a dog or any other species of animal, 
is a civil violation. 
This amendment provides that the maximum fine of $1,000 proposed in the bill 
applies to each occurrence of misrepresentation. A person who knowingly provides 
documents falsely stating that an animal is a service animal or assistance animal can be 
fined for each time the person provides the documents. 
These changes are consistent with the recommendations of the task force to ensure 
integrity in the use of service animals established pursuant to Resolve 2015, chapter 36. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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Approved: 03/16/16 
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LD 1601 
LR 2689(02) 
An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Task Force To Ensure Integrity in the Use of 
Service Animals 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment •h• {!/ ~590) 
Committee: Judiciary 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - General Fund 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
Increases the number of civil violations. 
The collection of additional fines may also increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts. 
LR2689(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1