Section 7-705 - Service animals. - Maryland Statutes

§ 7-705. Service animals.
 

(a)  In general.- The following individuals have all the same rights and privileges conferred by law on other individuals: 

(1) a blind or visually impaired pedestrian using a service animal and not carrying a cane predominantly white or metallic in color, with or without a red tip; 

(2) an individual with a disability and a parent of a minor child with a disability using a service animal not wearing an orange license tag or orange collar and on a leash; 

(3) an individual with a disability and a parent of a minor child with a disability using a service animal in a place, accommodation, or conveyance listed in § 7-704(b) of this subtitle; and 

(4) a service animal trainer who is accompanied by an animal that is being trained as a service animal. 

(b)  Mobility impaired individual accompanied by service animal.- This section does not require a physical modification of any place or vehicle in order to admit an individual with a disability or any other individual authorized under this subtitle to use a service animal who is accompanied by a service animal. 

(c)  Rights of service animal trainer; exception.-  

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a service animal trainer may be accompanied by an animal that is being trained as a service animal in any place where an individual with a disability or a parent of a minor child with a disability has the right to be accompanied by a service animal. 

(2) An animal being trained as a service animal and accompanied by a service animal trainer may be excluded from a place described in paragraph (1) of this subsection if admitting the animal would create a clear danger of a disturbance or physical harm to an individual in the place. 

(d)  Extra compensation prohibited; liability.-  

(1) An individual with a disability or a parent of a minor child with a disability who is accompanied by a service animal specially trained for that purpose in a place, accommodation, or conveyance listed in § 7-704(b) of this subtitle may not be required to pay extra compensation for the service animal, but the individual may be liable for any damages to the premises or facilities caused by the service animal. 

(2) A service animal trainer who is accompanied by an animal that is being trained as a service animal may not be required to pay extra compensation for the animal, but the service animal trainer organization that certifies the service animal may be liable for any personal injuries or damages to the premises or facilities caused by the service animal. 

(e)  Violations; penalties.-  

(1) (i) A person may not deny or interfere with the admittance of a service animal that accompanies an individual with a disability or a parent of a minor child with a disability in violation of this section. 

(ii) A person who violates subparagraph (i) of this paragraph is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 for each offense. 

(2) (i) A person may not deny or interfere with the admittance of an animal being trained as a service animal that accompanies a service animal trainer. 

(ii) Subject to subsection (c)(2) of this section, a person who violates subparagraph (i) of this paragraph is subject to a fine not exceeding $25 for each offense. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 30, § 33(d)(2), (f), (j)(2)-(4), (k)(2)-(4), (l); 2007, ch. 3, § 2; ch. 241; 2008, chs. 594, 595.]