HB393 Alabama 2017 Session

Under existing law, service dogs for people with disabilities are permitted in public areas.

This bill would allow for the use of a registered therapy dog, as defined, in legal proceedings when permitted by the judge to assist a victim or witness, to reduce unnecessary emotional distress experience by a victim or witness and allow full and factual testimony.

This bill would authorize a judge to use discretionary funds to offset the costs for a registered handler of a registered therapy dog used in a legal proceeding.

To allow for the use of a registered therapy dog in certain legal proceedings involving a witness or victim when permitted by the judge; to provide for the definition and criteria of a registered therapy dog and a registered handler; and to allow a judge to use discretionary funds to offset the costs for a handler of a registered therapy dog used in a legal proceeding.