Minnesota Grants Equal Rights to Service Dogs in Training Under New Law Signed by Governor Walz

(KNSI) – Minnesota service dogs learning their craft will be treated like their fully credentialed counterparts.

Governor Tim Walz signed a bipartisan bill into law on Thursday, giving training dogs and their handlers the same protections and support as active service dogs. The law makes it so homeowners’ associations cannot bar animals from living in an HOA and cannot charge any fees. The owners are, however, responsible for any damage done by the dog. A landlord or homeowners association can demand written certification from the organization supervising the training.

“Service dogs are vital to the many Minnesotans who depend on their services,” said Governor Walz. “This bill ensures service dogs in training can live with their trainers, who dedicate hundreds of hours working with these animals to ensure they can do their jobs reliably once they’re matched with a client and placed in their forever home.”

The Governor signed the bill alongside its authors, Senator Bonnie Westlin and Representative Cedrick Frazier, advocates, and service dogs Mato and Flint. It passed the Senate by a vote of 60 to 2 and the House by a vote of 114 to 15.

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