Emotional Support Dog Laws Florida

2 emotional support animals not service animals.

Emotional support dog laws florida.

Florida recently passed new laws governing emotional support animals esa which go into effect on july 1 2020. Florida is a good example of a state the following the letter of the law without going out of its way to provide much support on the ground. Finally the florida legislature passed a bill regulating the out of control problem of emotional support animals in florida s community associations. These new laws clarify how residents of florida can properly qualify for an emotional support animal and affirm the special rights esa owners have.

Last month florida realtors notified members of a new law effective july 1 2020 in relation to service animals 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. The law offices of herb m. Consistent with the ada to defer to local laws that prohibit certain breeds of dogs based on local concerns. 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.

If so then you need to know about florida emotional support animal laws and requirements. Defining the terms emotional support animal and housing provider. Two recent developments in florida emotional support animal laws have made things a bit more challenging for a handler of an emotional support animal. Florida law and the ada differ in some ways but public accommodations in florida must comply with both sets of laws and their patrons are entitled to rely on under the ada and florida law owners of public accommodations.

The only distinction is that you will need to get a letter from. Sb 1084 was signed into law by governor desantis on july 1 2020 and takes effect immediately. For purposes of subsections 2 3 and 4 the term service animal is limited to a dog or miniature horse. General bill by diaz.

Prohibiting discrimination in housing provided to a person with a disability or a disability related need for an emotional support animal. Qualify for an emotional support animal letter in florida. The main differences between service dogs and emotional support animals are that service dogs require specialized training to assist their owner with a disability related task. Prohibiting a health care practitioner from providing information.

The requirements you need to meet in florida to qualify for an emotional support animal letter are the same as in the other states. Has experience with florida service dog laws and emotional support animal letter and laws and will help you protect your rights. The new law provides for the following a copy of sb 1084 can be found here. Florida laws on service dogs and emotional support animals 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.