Posted: | December 2, 2020 01:36 PM |
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From: | Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Service Dog License Fee Exemptions |
In the near future I will be reintroducing Senate Bill 85 of last session that adds license fee exemptions for those service dogs which are used in the performance of services by a fire department, sheriff’s office or in the performance of rescue services or medical emergency services. This fee exemption currently exists only for any municipal or State police department or agency. Service dogs used by our Commonwealth agencies serve in vital and sometimes dangerous roles in protecting and serving us. The sensory capabilities of service dogs augment those of humans and the technology used by our public safety and rescue teams. These dogs serve alongside their human counterparts and their performance of tasks is integrated into the team plan to complete the mission successfully. Handlers of service dogs consider these canines as their partners. There will be minimum loss of revenue from exempting these service dogs from licensing fees. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation to recognize the roles and contributions of service dogs as an integral part of our public safety teams which protect and serve us. Previous co-sponsors of this legislation include Senators Schwank, Costa, Bartolotta, Killion, J. Ward, K. Ward, Dinniman, Yudichak, Brooks, and Brewster. |
Introduced as SB36