State laws Maryland
From Service Dog Training
State laws in Maryland.
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(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) a deaf or hard of hearing pedestrian using a service animal not wearing an orange license tag or orange collar and on a leash;
(3) a blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing pedestrian 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.-
(1) A mobility impaired individual may be accompanied by a service animal specially trained for that purpose in any place where a blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing individual has the right to be accompanied by a service animal.
(2) This subsection does not require a physical modification of any place or vehicle in order to admit a mobility impaired individual 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 a blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, or mobility impaired individual 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) A blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, or mobility impaired individual 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 a blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, or mobility impaired individual 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.
(b) Public accommodations and conveyances.-
(1) Blind, visually impaired, deaf, and hard of hearing individuals are entitled to full and equal rights and privileges with respect to common carriers and other public conveyances or modes of transportation, places of public accommodations, and other places to which the general public is invited, subject only to any conditions and limitations of general application established by law.
(2) The failure of a blind or visually impaired pedestrian to carry a cane predominantly white or metallic in color, with or without a red tip, or a deaf or hard of hearing pedestrian to use a service animal wearing an orange license tag or orange collar and on a leash, or to use a service animal in a place, accommodation, or conveyance listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection does not constitute contributory negligence per se.
(c) Housing accommodations.-
(1) This subsection does not apply to any accommodations or single family residence in which the occupants offer for compensation not more than one room.
(2) A blind or visually impaired individual is entitled to the same access as other members of the general public to housing accommodations in the State, subject to any conditions and limitations of general application established by law.
(3) A blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing individual who has, obtains, or may wish to obtain a service animal is entitled to full and equal access to housing accommodations.
(4) A blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing individual who is accompanied by a service animal may not be required to pay extra compensation for the service animal, but the individual may be liable for damages to the premises or facilities that the service animal causes.
Overview
These laws protect the rights of guide, hearing and service dog users to be accompanied by a specially trained service animal in all public accommodations. They also provide for equal housing for those who have, obtain, or wish to obtain a service animal. These laws are consistent with the wording of the ADA and provide the same level of protection.
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
