The Alabama Assistance and Service Animal Integrity in Housing Act (HB 198), a REALTOR® bill, was given a favorable report by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, February 21^st. As has been reported previously, HB 198 is meant to deter the misrepresentation of pets as service or assistance animals in housing by creating a penalty for such misrepresentation.  Senate Judiciary Chair Cam Ward (R-Alabaster), presided over a packed committee agenda and presented the bill to the committee. Several friendly amendments were added to the bill – one that gives judges the discretion to levy a civil penalty for the first violation and a second amendment that clarified language to ensure the bill is consistent with federal law.  Members of the Alabama REALTORS® public policy team spoke in favor of the bill and Representative Matt Fridy (R-Montevallo), the bill’s sponsor, was present at the committee meeting to answer any questions on the bill. Senator Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham) made the motion pass the amended bill out of committee, and Senate Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville) made the second.

HB 198 now travels to the Senate floor for final passage. Senator Tom Whatley (R-Auburn) will handle the bill on the floor of the Senate.

Background:

Alabama Assistance and Service Animal Integrity in Housing Act REALTORS® are advancing an initiative to help combat the misrepresentation and undocumented presentation of pets as service and/or assistance animals. This issue has spread widely across the state with the ability to go online and access fraudulent service and companion animal documentation with no medical evaluation and/or verification. Service animals are highly trained, disciplined, and skilled working animals that assist people with disabilities with many important and critical tasks of day-to-day life. The aim of the REALTOR® bill is to deter fraudulent activity, while protecting those with a medically documented need of a service or assistance animal, and provide clear guidance for real estate professionals in working with consumers in this important area of real estate.