HB198 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Matt Fridy

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Alabama Assistance and Service Animal Integrity in Housing Act, documentation to be provided to landlord for exeception, offenses of misrepresentation of entitlement to an assistance animal or service animal and misrepresentation of an animal as an assistance animal or service animal created as misdemeanors, Alabama Assistance and Service Animal Integrity in Housing Act

Summary

HB 198 creates the Alabama Assistance and Service Animal Integrity in Housing Act to regulate documentation for assistance and service animals in housing and set penalties for misrepresentation.

What This Bill Does

It defines terms like assistance animal, disability, and service animal, and sets rules for documentation of the need for an animal in housing. When a landlord is considering allowing an exception to a no-pets policy for an assistance or service animal, they may require reliable documentation from a medical provider, and this information must remain confidential. It creates crimes and penalties for misrepresenting disability or need to obtain documentation, and for misrepresenting an animal as an assistance or service animal, with a Class C misdemeanor on the first offense and a Class B misdemeanor on subsequent offenses. It notes the act is exempt from certain local-funds expenditure requirements and becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor’s approval.

Who It Affects

• Tenants or applicants who need an assistance or service animal in housing; they must provide reliable documentation of disability and the need for the animal, and could face penalties for misrepresentation.
• Landlords or housing providers; they must evaluate and request documentation, keep it confidential, and determine eligibility for exceptions to pet policies.

Key Provisions

• Defines key terms: assistance animal, disability, landlord, reliable documentation, and service animal; clarifies documentation sources and scope.
• Allows landlords to request reliable documentation (from a medical provider) of disability and the disability-related need for the animal when granting an exception to a no-pet policy; requires confidentiality of documentation.
• Creates offenses for misrepresentation of entitlement to an assistance or service animal and for misrepresentation of an animal as such, with Class C misdemeanor on first offense and Class B misdemeanor on subsequent offenses.
• States the act is exempt from local-fund expenditure requirements due to creating a new crime, and specifies the effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses