State laws Iowa
From Service Dog Training
State laws in Iowa.
These laws are currently under revision. Look for updates in the next few weeks.
" 216C.11 Service dogs and assistive animals. 1. For purposes of this section "service dog" means a dog specially trained at a recognized training facility to assist a person with a disability, whether described as a service dog , a support dog , an independence dog , or otherwise. "Assistive animal" means a simian or other animal specially trained or in the process of being trained under the auspices of a recognized training facility to assist a person with a disability. 2. A person with a disability or person training an assistive animal has the right to be accompanied by a service dog or an assistive animal, under control, in any of the places listed in sections 216C.3 and 216C.4 without being required to make additional payment for the service dog or assistive animal. A landlord shall waive lease restrictions on the keeping of animals for the service dog or assistive animal of a person with a disability. The person is liable for damage done to any premises or facility by a service dog or assistive animal. 3. A person who knowingly denies or interferes with the right of a person under this section is, upon conviction, guilty of a simple misdemeanor."
This law defines a service or assistive dog as any dog trained by a recognized training facility to assist a disabled person. This is contrary to the ADA's wording that does not require a service dog to be trained by any specific person. In this case, the ADA would take precedence because it further protects the rights of the disabled person.
State laws may be superseded by the ADA. For the text of the ADA, click here. For general information about service dogs, click here. If you are looking for information on service dogs in places of business, check out our Information for businesses.
All opinions and summaries on this page are my own and should not be construed as legal advice. If you are in need of advice on the state or federal laws applicable to service dogs you should contact a lawyer. Last revised 9/26/2009
