HB4330 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 16163 CMG 65531 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB4330

Introduced 1/29/2020, by Rep. Maurice A. West, II

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

510 ILCS 70/2.01i new
510 ILCS 70/7.15

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that a person may not willfully and maliciously annoy, harass, taunt, injure, kill, or otherwise harm any animal (rather than a guide, hearing, or support dog) that provides assistance to a person with a disability. Sets forth penalties. Defines "assistance animal". Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning animals.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Humane Care for Animals Act is amended by changing Section 7.15 and by adding Section 2.01i as follows:

(510 ILCS 70/2.01i new)

Sec. 2.01i. Assistance animal. "Assistance animal" means an animal trained by a licensed or certified person, organization, or agency to assist a person who has a physical, sensory, intellectual, developmental, psychiatric, or mental disability in one or more daily life activities. "Assistance animal" includes guide dogs, leader dogs, hearing ear dogs, and any animal trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, including, but not limited to:

(1) pulling a wheelchair;

(2) providing balance or stability support;

(3) retrieving objects; and

(4) providing assistance and support during a medical, psychological, or emotional crisis.

(510 ILCS 70/7.15)

Sec. 7.15. Assistance animal Guide, hearing, and support dogs.

(a) A person may not willfully and maliciously annoy, taunt, tease, harass, torment, beat, or strike an assistance animal a guide, hearing, or support dog or otherwise engage in any conduct directed toward an assistance animal a guide, hearing, or support dog that is likely to impede or interfere with the assistance animal's dog's performance of its duties or that places the blind, hearing impaired, or person with a physical disability being served or assisted by the assistance animal dog in danger of injury.

(b) A person may not willfully and maliciously torture, injure, or kill an assistance animal a guide, hearing, or support dog.

(c) A person may not willfully and maliciously permit an animal a dog that is owned, harbored, or controlled by the person to cause injury to or the death of an assistance animal a guide, hearing, or support dog while the assistance animal guide, hearing, or support dog is in discharge of its duties.

(d) A person convicted of violating this Section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation is a Class 4 felony. A person convicted of violating subsection (b) or (c) of this Section is guilty of a Class 4 felony if the assistance animal dog is killed or totally disabled, and may be ordered by the court to make restitution to the person with a disability having custody or ownership of the assistance animal dog for veterinary bills and replacement costs of the assistance animal dog.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.