ST. PAUL, Minn. — Today, Friday, April 25, the Minnesota Senate passed Senate File 1317, legislation to allow a person actively training a service dog to have full and equal access to all housing accommodations.Current law allows homeowners associations and housing accommodations to prevent residents from housing service dogs in training. Senator Bonnie Westlin (DFL – Plymouth) presented the bill on the Senate floor.
“This bill has been a joy to work on,” said Sen. Westlin. “These organizations providing service dogs to our neighbors with disabilities do it for free, but they can only do that with volunteers who train dogs in their homes. I’m so glad the Senate adopted these changes for service dogs in training, which ultimately improves the lives of our friends and neighbors with disabilities.”
The legislation requires that a dog must be actively trained by an organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International or the International Guide Dog Federation to be considered under this proposal.
Can Do Canines, a local organization that provides assistance dogs to Minnesotans with disabilities, worked closely with Senator Westlin on this bill.
It costs around $45,000 to raise and train one assistance dog. Can Do Canines gives away all of its dogs for free. This is only possible because of the many volunteers who raise, train, and socialize these dogs for anywhere from a couple of days to two years before returning them to change someone’s life.
The bill passed the Senate on a vote of 60-2. It now heads to Governor Walz’s desk to be signed into law. You can view the entire floor debate here.
Learn more about Sen. Westlin.
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