Resolve, Establishing the Study Commission To Ensure Integrity in the Use of Service Animals
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0872
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Sponsors: WARD, CUSHING, BURSTEIN, MALABY, SANDERSON, TUELL, VACHON, HASKELL, LIBBY

Legislative Document 
No. 872 
H.P. 591 
House of Representatives, March 12, 2015 
Resolve, Establishing the Study Commission To Ensure Integrity in 
the Use of Service Animals 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry suggested and 
ordered printed. 
ROBERT B. HUNT 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative WARD of Dedham. 
Cosponsored by Senator CUSHING of Penobscot and 
Representatives: BURSTEIN of Lincolnville, MALABY of Hancock, SANDERSON of 
Chelsea, TUELL of East Machias, VACHON of Scarborough, Senators: HASKELL of 
Cumberland, LIBBY of Androscoggin. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, this resolve establishes the Study Commission To Ensure Integrity in the 
Use of Service Animals in order to study training and certification requirements of 
service animals, methods of disseminating information about service animals to the 
public and documentation of training and certification of service animals; and 
Whereas, the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that 
the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the next 
legislative session; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it 
Sec. 1.  Study commission established.  Resolved:  That the Study Commission 
To Ensure Integrity in the Use of Service Animals, referred to in this resolve as "the study 
commission," is established; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Study commission membership.  Resolved:  That the study 
commission consists of 12 members appointed as follows: 
1.  Three members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including 
members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature; 
2.  Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats 
in the Legislature; 
3.  Two members who are trainers of service or therapy animals appointed by the 
President of the Senate; 
4.  One member who is a restaurant owner or operator appointed by the Speaker of 
the House; 
5.  One member of the business community appointed by the Governor; and 
6.  One member of the Maine Human Rights Commission appointed by the 
Governor; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Chairs.  Resolved:  That the first-named Senate member is the Senate 
chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the 
study commission; and be it further 
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of study commission.  Resolved:  That all 
appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this 
resolve.  The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative 
Council once all appointments have been completed.  After appointment of all members, 
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the study commission.  If 30 days or 
more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have 
been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant 
authority for the study commission to meet and conduct its business; and be it further 
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the study commission shall study: 
1.  Training requirements for service animals; 
2.  Certifying organizations and existing certification requirements and development 
of new state-based certification requirements, if needed; 
3.  The necessity of educating the public about service animals and methods of 
disseminating information about service animals; and 
4.  Documentation of training and certification of service animals and other similar 
proofs and development of additional documentation and proofs, if needed; and be it 
further 
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the study commission; and be it further 
Sec. 7.  Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than December 2, 2015, the study 
commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, 
including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 
127th Legislature. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Study Commission To Ensure Integrity in the Use of 
Service Animals in order to study training and certification requirements of service 
animals, methods of disseminating information about service animals to the public and 
documentation of training and certification of service animals.