Resolve, Establishing the Study Commission To Ensure Integrity in the Use of Service Animals

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  this resolve establishes the Study Commission To Ensure Integrity in the Use of Service Animals in order to study training and certification requirements of service animals, methods of disseminating information about service animals to the public and documentation of training and certification of service animals; and

Whereas,  the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the next legislative session; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Study commission established. Resolved: That the Study Commission To Ensure Integrity in the Use of Service Animals, referred to in this resolve as "the study commission," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Study commission membership. Resolved: That the study commission consists of 12 members appointed as follows:

1. Three members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;

2. Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;

3. Two members who are trainers of service or therapy animals appointed by the President of the Senate;

4. One member who is a restaurant owner or operator appointed by the Speaker of the House;

5. One member of the business community appointed by the Governor; and

6. One member of the Maine Human Rights Commission appointed by the Governor; and be it further

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the study commission; and be it further

Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of study commission. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. After appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the study commission. If 30 days or more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the study commission to meet and conduct its business; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the study commission shall study:

1. Training requirements for service animals;

2. Certifying organizations and existing certification requirements and development of new state-based certification requirements, if needed;

3. The necessity of educating the public about service animals and methods of disseminating information about service animals; and

4. Documentation of training and certification of service animals and other similar proofs and development of additional documentation and proofs, if needed; and be it further

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the study commission; and be it further

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 2, 2015, the study commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 127th Legislature.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This resolve establishes the Study Commission To Ensure Integrity in the Use of Service Animals in order to study training and certification requirements of service animals, methods of disseminating information about service animals to the public and documentation of training and certification of service animals.