CALL NOW!
HB 329 – ASSISTANCE ANIMALS
HB 329 introduced by Representative Adam Koenig on behalf of KMHI was voted on favorably by the House Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations Committee on Wednesday, February 21. The bill was later passed out of the House of Representatives with a vote 0f 87-0.
We just learned that HB 329 will be heard by the Senate Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations Committee tomorrow, March 6, at 10:00 a.m.
So we need each and every one of you to call, email or fax the members of the Senate Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations Committee to tell them to vote “YES” on HB 329 TOMORROW.
The Members of the Senate Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations Commitee are:
I have included talking points for this bill that will explain what it will do.
PLEASE CALL NOW.
While you’re talking to them, let them know how important HB 329 is to citizens and businesses in Kentucky. If you have an example, give them an example of how the growing number of “emotional support” animals has adversely affected you or your business. Use the included talking points to help you with your message and/or conversation.
PHONE NUMBER: 502-564-8100 AND ASK FOR YOUR LEGISLATOR (Capitol)
FAX NUMBERS: 502-564-6543 (Annex): 502-223-5094 (Capitol)
TO LEAVE MESSAGE AT THE CAPITOL: 800-372-7181 (Leave a very detailed message with your name and address.) These calls produce “green slips” which are very important in letting the Legislators know we care about this issue!
If you wish to email your senator, go to
www.lrc.ky.gov
and click on “Who’s My Legislator?” Once you type your address at the top of the page, it will find your district. Click BESIDE the pointer and it will give you your legislators with contact information. Then just click on the email address and send them the email with talking points. You can also click on the name of your legislator above.
If you have any questions, please give me a call at 502-330-5060. This is my cell phone and I may be tied up talking to legislators. If I don’t answer, leave me a message and I’ll return the call. Thank you so much for your support.
Betty Whittaker, Executive Director
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PLEASE SUPPORT HB 329
Talking Points
The Issue
– While the use of service and assistance animals are mostly utilized appropriately by tenants in need of such animals, many others take unfair advantage of the law requiring landlords to accept such animals sidestepping no-pet policies. Many of these get certifications for their pets from on-line websites.
HB 329
–
a)
sets forth the rights and responsibilities of a tenant renting a dwelling while using an Assistance Animal, and
b)
creates the criminal offense of Misrepresentation of an Assistance Animal (offense).
i. The offense applies to a person who knowingly and intentionally misrepresents an animal in his or her possession as an Assistance Animal for the purpose of obtaining the rights and privileges granted by local, state and federal law to persons with disabilities with service animals.
ii.
The offense also applies to persons in a therapeutic relationship with the person claiming a disability who knowingly and intentionally misrepresents an animal in that person’s possession as an Assistance Animal when it is not.
LEASE CALL NOW.
