SB216 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Disabled, including persons blind and hearing impaired or person diagnosed with autism spectrum, use of service animal in public places, including public or private schools, training authorized of service animal, Sec. 21-7-4 am'd.

Summary

SB216 would expand the right to use service animals to more people with disabilities and to those training service animals, in public places and schools, with the same penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

It allows a person with a physical disability to be accompanied by a service animal in public places (including schools) and expands who qualifies to include guide dogs, hearing dogs, signal dogs, or other specially trained animals. It ensures that people training a service animal have the same privileges as those with a disability. It states that there can be no extra charge for the animal, but the owner is responsible for damages caused by the animal. It also notes a local-funding consideration under Amendment 621 but says the bill is exempt from those requirements because it defines a new or amended crime, and it specifies the act’s effective date after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• People with physical disabilities (including those who are totally or partially blind, hearing-impaired, or diagnosed on the autism spectrum) would be allowed to be accompanied by a service animal in public places and in schools.
• People who are training service animals (and employed by accredited schools for training guide dogs) would have the same right to be accompanied by their service animals in public places and schools.

Key Provisions

• Defines 'service animal' to include guide dogs, hearing dogs, signal dogs, or any other animal specially trained or being trained to assist a person with a physical disability.
• Grants the right to be accompanied by a service animal to persons with disabilities (including those who are blind or autistic) and to persons training a service animal in public places and schools, with no extra charge for the animal and liability for damages.
• Authorizes a person training a service animal to have the same privileges as a person with a disability under this section.
• Clarifies liability for damages caused by the service animal and states that the act would be effective after governor approval; notes an exemption from certain local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 due to the act defining a new or amended crime.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Handicapped