Section 40-9.1-3.1 - Misrepresentation of service animal(a) It is a violation of this chapter for an individual to take an animal into a public area where pets are not permitted, and state that the animal is a service animal entitled to be present, if the animal is not a service animal.(b) Businesses may post a decal suitable in a front window or door, stating that service animals are welcome and that misrepresentation of a service animal is a violation of Rhode Island law.(c) It shall be a violation for any individual to misrepresent a pet or any other animal as a service animal when attempting to gain access to or remain in a public area. A violation of this section occurs when:(1) An individual expressly represents that an animal in his or her possession is a service animal for the purpose of obtaining any rights or privileges afforded to persons with disabilities accompanied by service animals, but unavailable to people and their pets or other animals; and(2) The individual knew or should have known that the animal in question did not meet the definition of a service animal.(d) A violation of this section shall be deemed a civil violation, punishable by up to thirty (30) hours of community service for an organization that serves individuals with disabilities at the discretion of the court.R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-9.1-3.1
Added by 2019 Pub. Laws, ch. 131,§ 2, eff. 7/8/2019.Added by 2019 Pub. Laws, ch. 96,§ 2, eff. 7/8/2019.