New Tennessee ESA Law (March 2024): What It Could Mean for ESA Owners
- Published on:
- By: ASP Team
Dining out or going to the grocery store with your emotional support animal in Tennessee may soon be curtailed. A new bill, Senate Bill 1595, making its way through the Tennessee legislature, seeks to establish a clearer distinction between service animals and Emotional Support Animals (ESAs).
This legislation could notably impact where ESAs are allowed, specifically excluding them from indoor restaurants and other indoor food service establishments, such as hotels and supermarkets.
Here’s what you need to know about the bill and how it might affect you and your furry friend.
Dissecting the Bill for TN ESA Owners
The proposed bill, championed by Republican Senator Page Walley and Republican Representative Kirk Haston, aims to tighten regulations around the presence of animals in food service establishments.
The primary goal is to ensure that only certain types of service animals, which meet specific criteria, can accompany their owners inside restaurants. This means emotional support animals, which do not undergo the same level of training as service animals, would not be allowed in dining areas.
The Distinction Between ESAs and Service Animals
At the heart of this bill is the distinction between emotional support animals and service animals. Service animals, as defined by this new legislation, are “individually trained or being trained by an employee or puppy raiser from a recognized training agency or school to serve an individual with a disability.”
This definition underscores the necessity for service animals to undergo rigorous training to assist with specific disabilities effectively. In contrast, emotional support animals, which provide comfort through their presence, do not typically undergo such specialized training.
Exemptions and Implications of Senate Bill 1595
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The bill makes exceptions for certain animals, including patrol dogs accompanying law enforcement officers and trained service animals. This distinction emphasizes the importance of training and certification for animals assisting individuals in public spaces. For ESAs that do not have training or are not in the process of being trained, the bill presents a clear barrier to accessing restaurants with their owners.
What the Tennessee ESA Law Means for ESA Owners
For owners of emotional support animals in Tennessee, this bill signals a shift in how ESAs are recognized in public establishments. The inability to bring ESAs into restaurants highlights the need for awareness and understanding of the differences between ESAs and service animals. It also underscores the importance of proper training for those animals that can qualify as service animals.
Moving Forward with I Train Academy
For those in Tennessee with ESAs, all hope is not lost. American Service Pets offers a dog training solution through our I Train Academy, an online service dog training program. This program provides the necessary obedience and task training skills for your dog to potentially qualify as a psychiatric assistance or service dog.
With training modules designed to meet the criteria set forth by new legislation, and certificates issued upon completion, I Train Academy can help ensure that your dog remains by your side—even in restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, and other indoor food service establishments in Tennessee.
The pending Tennessee bill brings to light the evolving landscape of service animal regulations. While it poses new challenges for ESA owners wishing to dine out with their animals, it also opens up avenues for training and certification that can bridge the gap between ESAs and service animals.
By embracing the training opportunities available, ESA owners can adapt to these changes, ensuring their animals are not just beloved companions but also recognized service animals capable of accompanying them in more public spaces.
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The benefits of an Emotional Support Animal certification and a Psychiatric Service Dog certification are drastically different. Fortunately for you, American Service Pets’ network of active board certified doctor or other licensed mental health providers can help you find the right path to certification. To find out whether you need an ESA or PSD letter, take our easy, three-step Pet Owner Survey!
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