Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota
Maryland,
Maryland Statutes: White Cane Law, amended 1992, Article 30, Section 33 and Article 24, Section 11-502Maryland statutory law guarantees a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in all public accommodations and on all forms of public transportation. Maryland law also guarantees equal housing accommodations to a dog guide user. No extra charge can be levied because of the dog’s presence, but the dog guide user is liable for any damage the dog might cause to the premises. A landlord is not required to modify property or to maintain a higher degree of care than that provided to other persons. Maryland state policy ensures equal employment opportunity for blind persons in its state service, in the service of its political subdivisions, in public schools, and in employment supported in whole or in part by public funds, except where a particular disability prevents performance of the work involved. Maryland exempts dog guides from licensing fee. (Article 24, Sect. 11-502) The clerk will be satisfied that the dog for which the license is sought is a “dog guide,” professionally trained to aid the blind and actually in use for such purpose. The license therefore shall be issued without the payment of any fee and the clerk shall inscribe across the face of the license in red ink the words, “Dog guide.” (11-502) Public accommodations include hotels, restaurants, public buildings, stores, places of resort and amusement, and all other places to which the general public is invited. (Art. 30, Sect. 33(d)) Public transportation includes trains, airplanes, boats, taxis, buses, and all other modes of conveyance offered for public use. (Art. 30, Sect. 33(d)) Housing includes all property offered for rent, lease or compensation which is designed to be a home or sleeping place, but does not include single family dwelling whose occupants offer no more than one room for rent. (Art. 30, Sect. 33(I)) Violation: Any person, firm or corporation who interferes with the above-enumerated rights is guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine not to exceed $500 for each offense. (Art. 30, Sect.33(g)
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Statutes, Chapter 272-98A; Chapter 151C, Section2, Paragraph e, 1972; Chapter 151B, Section 4(amended 1996); Chapter 90, Section 14A (amended 1992)Massachusetts law guarantees a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a dog guide in all public accommodations and on all public conveyances. No extra charge can be levied because of the dog’s presence. Muzzling can be required. A blind person is guaranteed the right under Massachusetts law to be accompanied by a dog guide in an educational institution. Public accommodations include hotels, restaurants, stores, places of amusement, and all places to which the public is invited. (Chapter 272-98A) Public conveyances include trains, airplanes, buses, taxis, and all common carriers. (Chapter 272-98A) A blind person with a dog guide is guaranteed equal housing. (Chapter 151B, Sect. 4) The driver of a vehicle must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian with a dog guide. (Chapter 90, Sect. 14A) Violation: A person who interferes with the rights enumerated above is punishable by a fine not to exceed $300. (Chapter 272-98A)
Michigan
Michigan Statutes, 1953, Section 750.502c (last amended in 1984 by Public Act 110)Michigan statutory law guarantees a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a dog guide in harness in all public accommodations and educational institutions and on all public conveyances. The dog guide user can be required to produce identification, such as the I.D. card furnished by the dog guide school from which the dog was obtained. Public accommodations include trains, buses, taxis, elevators, boats, and other common carriers. (Sect. 750.502c) Violation: Any person who interferes with the above-enumerated rights is guilty of a misdemeanor and therefore punishable under Michigan law. (Sect. 750.502c)750.502c Person with disabilities or trainer led by guide, leader, hearing, or service dog; refusing entry to or use of public or private accommodations as misdemeanor; conditions; identification card; list; definitions.Sec. 502c. (1) A person who is an owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent, or employee of any place of public or private housing, accommodation, amusement, or recreation, including but not limited to any inn, hotel, motel, apartment building, trailer park, restaurant, barbershop, billiard parlor, store, public conveyance on land or water, theater, motion picture house, public or private educational institution, or elevator, who refuses to permit a person with disabilities to enter or use the place when the place is available because the person with disabilities is being led or accompanied by a guide or leader dog, hearing dog, or service dog is guilty of a misdemeanor if the guide or leader dog is wearing a harness or if the hearing dog or service dog is wearing a blaze orange leash and collar, hearing dog cape, or service dog backpack, and the person with disabilities being led or accompanied has in his or her possession a pictured identification card certifying that the dog was trained by a qualified organization or trainer. The department of labor shall maintain a list of organizations or trainers that train guide or leader dogs, hearing dogs, and service dogs.(2) A person who is an owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent, or employee of any place of public or private housing, accommodation, amusement, or recreation, including, but not limited to, the places listed in subsection (1), who refuses to permit a trainer of guide or leader dogs, hearing dogs, or service dogs to enter or use the place when the place is available because the trainer is being led or accompanied by a guide or leader dog, hearing dog, or service dog is guilty of a misdemeanor if the guide or leader dog is wearing a harness or if the hearing dog or service dog is wearing a hearing dog cape or service dog backpack, if the trainer is being led or accompanied by an adult dog for the purpose of training the dog, and if the trainer has in his or her possession picture identification and identification stating that he or she is a representative or employee of an organization or trainer, or is a trainer, included on the department of labor list of organizations or trainers that train guide or leader dogs, hearing dogs, or service dogs.
Minnesota
Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 256C, Sections 256C.01 through 256C.06, amended 1992; Section 363.03(10).Minnesota statutes guarantee a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a dog guide in all public accommodations and on all public conveyances. A dog guide user also is guaranteed the right to equal accommodation in housing. No extra charge can be levied because of the dog’s presence, but the dog guide user is liable for any damage the dog guide causes to the premises. A landlord is not required to modify his property or maintain a higher standard of care than that provided other persons. Minnesota’s state policy also ensures equal employment opportunity to blind persons in its state public schools, and in all employment supported in whole or part by public funds, except when the particular disability prevents performance of the work involved. Public accommodations include hotels, public buildings, restaurants, places of resort and amusement, stores and all other places to which the public is invited. (Sect. 256C.02) Public conveyances include airplanes, boats, taxis, trains, buses, and all other modes of transportation offered for public use. (Sect. 256C.02) Housing includes any real property offered for rent, lease, or compensation. (Sect. 256C.025) The service dog must be capable of being properly identified as from a recognized school for Seeing Eye dogs or dog guides. (Sect. 256C.02) Violation: Any person or agent thereof who interferes with the above enumerated rights is guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable therefor under Minnesota law. (Sect. 256C.05)