Talk of the Town - Whitley County

A bill giving disabled Hoosiers access to more areas was concurred with by the House of Representatives Monday with a vote of 89-0.

House Bill 1603, authored by State Representative Dan Leonard (R-Huntington), expands the areas where service animals are permitted and also expands the definition of “service animal.” An individual with a service animal would be allowed to enter all school buildings supported by public money and also be allowed to enter a place of employment.

Currently, a person with a disability is entitled to be accompanied by a guide dog in any building of public accommodation, but some education facilities are not included.

“Disabled citizens should have access to all public places with their service animals,” said Rep. Leonard.

The definition of “service animal” is expanded in HB 1603 to include any animals trained in the following capacity: hearing animals, guide animals, assistance animals, seizure alert animals, mobility animals, psychiatric service animals and animals which aid in the service of those with autism. 

“It is wrong not to allow a disabled Hoosier to be accompanied by their service animal or allow them access to public places and their workplace,” said Leonard. “I hope this bill will be signed into law, making it easier for the disabled to have more accessibility to places.”

Leonard authored the bill after a constituent was denied access to her workplace with her service animal. In another case, a parent was denied access to a school administration building for a public school board meeting because of a service animal.

House Bill 1603 now heads to Governor Mitch Daniels.