State laws Missouri
From Service Dog Training
State laws in Missouri.
Rights of persons with visual, hearing or physical disabilities --guide, hearing or service dogs, no extra charge for--liability for actual damages.
209.150. 1. Every person with a visual, aural or physical disability shall have the same rights afforded to a person with no such disability to the full and free use of the streets, highways, sidewalks, walkways, public buildings, public facilities, and other public places.
2. Every person with a visual, aural or physical disability is entitled to full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of all common carriers, airplanes, motor vehicles, railroad trains, motor buses, taxis, streetcars, 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.
3. Every person with a visual, aural or physical disability shall have the right to be accompanied by a guide dog, hearing dog, or service dog, which is especially trained for the purpose, in any of the places listed in subsection 2 of this section without being required to pay an extra charge for the guide dog, hearing dog or service dog; provided that such person shall be liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by such dog.
4. As used in sections 209.150 to 209.190, the term "service dog" means any dog specifically trained to assist a person with a physical disability by performing necessary physical tasks which the person cannot perform. Such tasks shall include, but not be limited to, pulling a wheelchair, retrieving items, and carrying supplies.
(L. 1941 p. 344 ยง 1, A.L. 1965 p. 95, A.L. 1977 S.B. 12, A.L. 1980 H.B. 1133, A.L. 1988 H.B. 1196, A.L. 1996 S.B. 582)
Overview
This law protects the rights of disabled persons to be accompanied by an assistance dog in all places of public accommodation. It defines a service dog as a dog trained to assist a person with a disability. The text of the law is consistent with the wording 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State laws may be superseded by the ADA.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
