Minnesota Session Laws - 1987, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1987 

                        CHAPTER 141-H.F.No. 1024 
           An act relating to human rights; regulating access to 
          public accommodation by certain persons and guide dogs;
          amending Minnesota Statutes 1986, sections 256C.02; 
          and 363.03, subdivision 10.  
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1986, section 256C.02, is 
amended to read:  
    256C.02 [PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS.] 
    The blind, the visually handicapped, and the otherwise 
physically disabled have the same right as the able-bodied to 
the full and free use of the streets, highways, sidewalks, 
walkways, public buildings, public facilities, and other public 
places; and are entitled to full and equal accommodations, 
advantages, facilities, and privileges of all common carriers, 
airplanes, motor vehicles, railroad trains, motor buses, boats, 
or any other public conveyances or modes of transportation, 
hotels, lodging places, places of public accommodation, 
amusement, or resort, and other places to which the general 
public is invited, subject only to the conditions and 
limitations established by law and applicable alike to all 
persons. 
    Every totally or partially blind, physically handicapped, 
or deaf person shall have the right to be accompanied by a guide 
service dog in any of the places listed in section 363.03, 
subdivision 10.  The person shall be liable for any damage done 
to the premises or facilities by such dog.  The service dog must 
be capable of being properly identified as from a recognized 
school for seeing eye, hearing ear, service, or guide dogs. 
    Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1986, section 363.03, 
subdivision 10, is amended to read:  
    Subd. 10.  [DISCRIMINATION AGAINST BLIND, HANDICAPPED, OR 
DEAF PERSONS PROHIBITED.] (a) It is an unfair discriminatory 
practice for an owner, operator or manager of a hotel, 
restaurant, public conveyance or other public place, to prohibit 
a blind, physically handicapped, or deaf person from taking a 
guide service dog into the public place or conveyance if the 
guide service dog can be properly identified as being from a 
recognized school for seeing eye, hearing ear, service, or guide 
dogs, and if the dog is properly harnessed or leashed so that 
the blind, physically handicapped, or deaf person may maintain 
control of the dog.  
    (b) No person shall require a blind, physically 
handicapped, or deaf person to make an extra payment or pay an 
additional charge when taking a guide service dog into any of 
the public places referred to in paragraph (a). 
    Approved May 14, 1987