Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington
Texas,
Texas Statutes, Title 8, Chapter 121, Sections 121.002 through 121.009, amended 1997Texas statutes guarantee a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in harness in all public facilities. A dog guide user has a legal right to equal housing accommodation in all housing offered for rent, lease, or compensation. The landlord need not modify the premises, nor is a higher standard of care required than that provided other tenants. No extra fee can be levied because of the dog guide’s presence, but the dog guide user is liable for any damage the dog might do to the premises. Equal employment opportunity is also guaranteed, except where the visual impairment prevents performance of work involved. Under Texas statutory law, the definition of public facilities includes hotels, stores, restaurants, college dormitories, places of resort, recreation and amusement, public buildings, railroads, buses, boats, airplanes, taxis, and all other common carriers or places to which the public is invited. (Sect. 121.002, Sect. 121.003) Housing accommodations include any real property, in whole or part, designed or used as a home, residence, or sleeping place, except for a single family dwelling, the occupants of which offer for rent no more than one room. (Sect. 121.003) Violation: Any person, firm, association, or agent thereof who interferes with the above enumerated rights is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of not less than $300 or more than $1000. In addition, the dog guide user whose civil rights have been violated may proceed in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover personal damages with the presumption that at least $100 worth of damage has been sustained. (Sect. 121.004)
Utah,
Utah Statutes, 1969, Chapter 30, Sections 26-30-1 through 26-30-5, amended 1989Utah 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 public transportation. Utah statutes also guarantee a blind person with a dog guide the right to equal housing accommodations. No extra fee may be charged for the dog’s presence, but the landlord may require a reasonable deposit as security, and the dog user shall be liable for any damage to the premises caused by the dog guide. A person renting, leasing or selling private or public housing need not modify the premises in any way to accommodate a visually handicapped tenant. The dog guide user may be asked to present for inspection the identification card provided by the dog guide school from which the dog was obtained. Utah state policy also endorses the right of equal employment opportunity to a blind person in its state service, or the service of its political subdivisions, and public schools and in employment supported in whole or part by public funds, except when the visual impairment prevents performance of the work involved. Public accommodations include stores, restaurants, hotels, lodges, public buildings, places of resort and amusement, and all other places to which the public is invited. (Sect. 26-30-1, Sect. 26-30-2) Public transportation includes airplanes, buses, trains, boats, taxis, and all other modes of transportation offered for public use. (Sect. 26-30-1, Sect. 26-30-2) Housing accommodations include any real property, whether public or private. (Sect. 26-30-1, Sect. 26-30-2) Violation: Any person or agent of any person who interferes with the above-enumerated legal rights is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and punishable accordingly. (Sect. 26-30-4)
Vermont Statutes, 1974 (last amended 1991), Sections 4502, 1057 Vermont law guarantees a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a dog guide in all places of public accommodation. The dog must be in harness. No extra charge can be levied because of the dog’s presence. Public accommodations include any establishment, which offers services, goods, or facilities to the public. The term public accommodation covers stores, restaurants, hotels, and common carriers. (Sect. 4502) The driver of a vehicle will yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian with a dog guide. (Sect. 1057) Violation: Vermont law prohibits interference in the exercise of the above-enumerated rights by an owner, operator, employee, or agent of a public accommodation. (Sect.4502)
Vermont,
Washington,
Washington Statutes, White Cane Law, Chapter 70.84, Sections 70.84.010 through 70.84.900, last amended in 1997Washington statutory law guarantees a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in harness in all places of public accommodation and on all public transportation. No extra charge can be levied because of the dog’s presence. State policy also ensures equal employment opportunity in state service, in the service of its political subdivisions and public schools, and in employment supported in whole or part by public funds, except when the visual disability prevents performance of the work involved. Public accommodations include hotels, restaurants, stores, public buildings, places of resort, amusement, and assemblage, and any other place to which the general public is invited. (Sect. 70. 84. 010, Sect. 70. 84. 030) Public transportation includes trains, buses, airplanes, boats, taxis, and any other common carriers or modes of conveyance offered for public use. (Sect. 70. 84. 010, Sect. 70. 84. 030) Violation: Any person, firm, corporation or agent thereof who interferes with the above enumerated rights is guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable under Washington law accordingly. (Sect.70. 84. 070)