Sec. 1. 26 MRSA §1420-A, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. B, §6 and affected by c. 614, §9, is further amended to read:

3. Guide dogs. Every deaf or hard-of-hearing person has the right to be accompanied by a guide dog, described and known as a "hearing dog," especially trained for the purpose, and identified by a collar and leash colored hunter orange, as that color is defined in Title 12, section 10001, subsection 32, in a place listed in subsection 2 without being required to pay an extra charge for the guide dog, except that the person is liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by that dog. When the deaf or hard-of-hearing person is accompanied by a guide dog, the person must also carry a card, issued by the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, that states that the dog is an especially trained guide dog and cites section 1420 and this section that allow for access by the person and the person's dog to streets, public places and public conveyances.

Sec. 2. 26 MRSA §1420-A, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 560, Pt. F, §13, is amended to read:

5. Housing accommodations; persons with hearing-assistance animals. Every deaf or hard-of-hearing person who has a hearing- assistance animal is entitled to full and equal access to all housing accommodations provided for in this section. Hard-of- hearing Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons may not be required to pay extra compensation to keep hearing-assistance animals. A deaf or hard-of-hearing person is liable for any damage done to the premises by the animal.

Sec. 3. 26 MRSA §1420-B, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 560, Pt. F, §13, is amended to read:

§1420-B. Motor vehicle drivers

The driver of a vehicle approaching a deaf or hard-of-hearing person using a properly identified guide dog shall take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to that person and the guide dog. A driver who fails to take such precautions is liable in damages for any injury caused to that person or dog. A deaf or hard-of-hearing person not using a guide dog in any of the places, accommodations or conveyances listed in section 1420-A has all of the rights and privileges conferred by law upon other persons. The failure of a deaf or hard-of-hearing person to use a guide dog in those places, accommodations or conveyances does not constitute nor is it evidence of contributory negligence.