Esa Dog Laws Florida

Florida recently passed new laws governing emotional support animals esa which go into effect on july 1 2020.

Esa dog laws florida.

As mentioned in the article the law was largely written to address the abuse of online certificates which allege to be the gold standard in determining whether or not an animal is a true emotional support animal esa or not. Florida s recently enacted sb 1084 combats emotional support animal housing fraud. A service animal is not a pet. Department of housing and urban development fair housing act.

Florida legislature recently amended laws making it a crime to misrepresent that your dog is a service dog. Florida residents are subject to the u s. These new laws clarify how residents of florida can properly qualify for an emotional support animal and affirm the special rights esa owners have. Florida enacts law to combat emotional support animal fraud in housing.

Registration is dependent on the type of vessel an emotional support animal registration is not required in florida. Defining the terms emotional support animal and housing provider. Prohibiting the falsification of information or. By law florida condo associations cannot deny your emotional support dog.

With the growth in using animals as comfort animals many florida condo associations have been making it difficult for esa owners to live with. Falsifying the certifications would be a second degree misdemeanor in the second degree carrying a 500 fine and a potential 60 day jail sentence. The crime deterrent effect of an animal s presence and the provision of emotional support well being comfort or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for purposes of this definition. Last month florida realtors notified members of a new law effective july 1 2020 in relation to service animals.

For purposes of subsections 2 3 and 4 the term service animal is limited to a dog or miniature horse. Prohibiting discrimination in housing provided to a person with a disability or a disability related need for an emotional support animal. The new law prohibits discrimination from housing providers to someone requiring an esa but also prohibits health care practitioners from providing information regarding a person s need for an emotional support animal without having personal knowledge of the person s need for the animal. This means that an individual with a certified emotional support animal can fly with their companion in the cabin of an airline and should also be allowed to live in a housing unit that doesn t otherwise allow animals.

Prohibiting a health care practitioner from providing information regarding a person s need for an emotional support animal without having personal knowledge of that person s need for the animal. Florida and federal law protect the right to have service dogs in public places and may protect other service animals in housing. We rise in the strongest support of this legislation. Under florida law and the federal americans with disabilities act ada people with disabilities may bring their service animals to all public accommodations such as restaurants museums hotels and stores.