WRITTEN BY FORREST WALL, CAE, STAFF VICE PRESIDENT AND INDUSTRY RELATIONS
Emotional Support Animal Bills Gain Support
As you may recall from my October article, AAM is supporting a two-bill legislative effort in the Michigan House of Representatives to strengthen state law to help prevent the false representation of possession of an emotional support animal (ESA). I am pleased to report the legislation recently passed the House Regulatory Reform Committee and is gaining support as it now is being considered by the House Judiciary Committee. House Bill 4910, introduced on September 3rd, would create the “Misrepresentation of Emotional Support Animals Act.” This bill provides a definitional framework for state law, bars individuals and health care providers from falsely representing a disability or possession of an ESA, allows for documentation requests by housing providers, provides requirements for health care providers who prescribe ESAs, and includes criminal penalties for violations of the law. House Bill 4911, would amend the Revised Judicature Act to support termination of a lease for misrepresentation of an emotional support animal. Modifications to the bills are possible as the industry continues to work with medical interests who have expressed concerns with parts of the legislation.
Emergency Contact Legislation Introduced
A measure which would protect residents and property owners who request emergency services has been introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives. House Bill 5154 would prohibit local units of government from enacting any ordinance which would penalize a resident or property owner for contacting the police or emergency services in situations where it is believed abuse or a crime is taking place, or if it is believed there is some type of emergency. The legislation also allows a property owner or resident to bring civil action against the local unit of government which attempts to enforce such an ordinance.