State laws Maine
From Service Dog Training
State laws in Maine.
I believe that there has been an update to the Main service animal laws, but I have not yet been able to find the wording of the changes online. I'll keep looking.
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Public access rights
" 3. Guide and personal care dogs. Every totally or partially blind or otherwise physically disabled person has the right to be accompanied by a guide or personal care dog, especially trained for the purpose, in any of the places listed in subsection 2 without being required to pay an extra charge for the guide or personal care dog; however, the person is liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by such dog. [ 1997, c. 611, §1 (AMD) .]
Trainer access
4. Especially trained guide dog trainer or personal care dog trainer; access to public facilities; responsibilities. An especially trained guide dog trainer or personal care dog trainer, while engaged in the actual training process and activities of guide or personal care dogs, has the same rights, privileges and responsibilities described in this section with respect to access to and use of public facilities as are applicable to a blind, visually handicapped or otherwise physically disabled person. [ 1997, c. 611, §2 (AMD) .]
Housing accommodations
5. Housing accommodations; persons with guide or personal care dogs. Every blind or visually handicapped or otherwise physically disabled individual who has a sight-assistance or assistance animal, such as a guide or personal care dog, is entitled to full and equal access to all housing accommodations provided for in this section. Blind or visually impaired or otherwise physically disabled individuals may not be required to pay extra compensation to keep sight-assistance or personal care animals. A blind or visually impaired or otherwise physically disabled person is liable for any damages done to the premises by the animal. [ 1997, c. 611, §3 (AMD) .]"
Service animals in restaurants and food stores
[Dogs in restaurants and food stores]
It is unlawful for any person, other than the owner or manager, to bring an animal into a store where food is sold for human consumption or into a restaurant where food is prepared and served on the premises. This section does not apply to a person requiring the services of a service animal. [2005, c. 318, §1 (AMD).]
- For the purposes of this section, "service animal" means an animal that has been prescribed for an individual with a disability by a physician, psychiatrist or psychologist and a guide dog, signal dog or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair or fetching items. [2005, c. 318, §1 (NEW).]
Prohibits attacks on service animals
§3961-A. Attack on service dog
A person who owns or keeps a dog that attacks, injures or kills a service dog while the service dog is in discharge of its duties commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not more than $1,000 may be adjudged. [2001, c. 220, §2 (NEW).]
When a person is adjudicated of a violation of this section, the court shall order the person to make restitution to the owner of the service dog for any veterinary bills and necessary retraining costs or replacement costs of the dog if it is disabled or killed. [2001, c. 220, §2 (NEW).]
For the purposes of this section, "service dog" means a guide dog for the visually impaired, a hearing dog trained to alert a person with impaired hearing or a personal care dog as defined in Title 17, section 1312, subsection 7. [2001, c. 220, §2 (NEW).]
Overview
This law gives public access rights to guide dogs and personal care dogs, defined as dogs that provide assistance to disabled persons in activities of daily living. The wording of this law is consistent with the guidelines of the ADA.
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
