Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota Senate Bill SF4928

Introduced
3/26/26  

Caption

Person who sells emotional support dogs to provide notice that the dog is not a service dog requirement

Impact

The legislation is likely to have significant implications for the way emotional support animals are marketed and sold. By mandating sellers to provide explicit notices, SF4928 seeks to promote transparency in the pet selling industry, thereby protecting consumers and safeguarding the integrity of true service dog programs. This could also lead to a reduction in fraudulent claims regarding emotional support animals, which has become a concern in some areas. Furthermore, the bill could influence training facilities and organizations that deal with service animals by creating clearer guidelines about emotional support versus service roles.

Summary

SF4928 seeks to impose a requirement on individuals and businesses selling emotional support dogs to provide clear notice that these animals do not hold the same qualifications or rights as certified service dogs. The bill aims to ensure that potential buyers are aware of the differences between emotional support animals and service animals, which could impact their expectations and responsibilities. This measure is intended to mitigate confusion surrounding the roles and legal protections afforded to each type of animal.

Contention

Despite its intentions, SF4928 may encounter opposition from various stakeholders. Advocates for emotional support animal rights may argue that the bill could inadvertently stigmatize emotional support dogs or oversimplify the diverse roles these animals play in the lives of individuals with mental health conditions. Additionally, businesses selling such animals might express concern about the implications of compliance, including the potential for increased liability and documentation burdens. Overall, the measure highlights the ongoing dialogue about animal welfare and the ethical considerations surrounding animal rights.

Companion Bills

MN HF4390

Similar To Person who sells emotional support dogs required to provide notice that the dog is not a service dog, and criminal penalties for misrepresenting service animals increased.

Previously Filed As

MN HF4390

Person who sells emotional support dogs required to provide notice that the dog is not a service dog, and criminal penalties for misrepresenting service animals increased.

MN A3772

Permits dogs as service and emotional support animals at State veterans' residential facilities.

MN SF1943

Pet shops prohibition from selling cats and dogs

MN HF2627

Pet shops prohibited from selling cats and dogs.

MN S09086

Distinguishes the terms "service animal" and "emotional support animal"; provides that persons with a disability shall be entitled to reasonable housing accommodations for a service animal or emotional support animal, provided that they obtain documentation from a qualified practitioner; provides that certain privileges are restricted to persons with a service animal; provides that a person who fraudulently obtains documentation for a reasonable housing accommodation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine and community service.

MN AB366

Emotional support animals in housing; falsely claiming that an animal is a service animal; and providing a penalty. (FE)

MN SB327

Emotional support animals in housing; falsely claiming that an animal is a service animal; and providing a penalty. (FE)

MN HB668

Crimes and offenses; change references to assistance and guide dogs to service dogs

MN SF1481

Pollution Control Agency notice to retailers that selling skin lightening products that contain mercury is illegal requirement, self-certification of businesses that receive notice requirement, and penalties on businesses who fail to self-certify provision

MN S2289

Allows a tenant with a disability who needs a service animal or an emotional support animal to house the animal on the rented premises.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.