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Enrolled Bill Summary

Enrolled Bill Summary

Legislative Session: 83(R)

House Bill 489

House Author:  Menendez

Effective:  1-1-14

Senate Sponsor:  Uresti


            House Bill 489 amends Health and Safety Code and Human Resources Code provisions relating to the rights and responsibilities of persons with disabilities.  The bill establishes conditions under which a food service establishment is prohibited from denying admittance to a service animal as defined by the bill.  The bill limits the type of inquiry that a staff member of a food service establishment or a public facility may make if a person whose disability is not readily apparent is accompanied by a service animal.  The bill revises the definition of "person with a disability" to specify it includes a person who has an intellectual or developmental disability as well as a person who has post-traumatic stress disorder. Among other provisions, the bill revises the penalty for discriminating against a person with a disability in connection with the use of a public facility and the penalty for using a service animal improperly.