STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2010 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JOHN J. BURZICHELLI
District 3 (Salem, Cumberland and Gloucester)
Assemblywoman L. GRACE SPENCER
District 29 (Essex and Union)
Assemblyman VINCENT PRIETO
District 32 (Bergen and Hudson)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Gusciora
SYNOPSIS
Allows student who is eligible for special education programs and services for autism or other developmental disability to bring medically-recommended service dog to school.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Act concerning the use of service dogs by certain students and supplementing chapter 46 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Legislature finds and declares that: service dogs have a long history of performing crucial tasks and fulfilling a significant role in the daily activities of many people with certain physical disabilities; in addition to their traditional roles, service dogs can be trained to be a calming influence and provide a connection to the familiar in unfamiliar surroundings for students with autism or other developmental disabilities; allowing a student with autism or other developmental disability to bring a medically-recommended service dog to class and on school grounds will enhance the learning process and help the student reach his full academic potential.
2. a. A student who is classified as eligible for special education programs and services for autism or other developmental disability may keep a medically-recommended service dog in school buildings, including the classroom, and on school grounds as authorized in accordance with the provisions of subsection b. of this section.
b. The parent or guardian of a student who seeks authorization for a service dog in accordance with the provisions of subsection a. of this section shall provide the school district with: (1) a written recommendation from a physician or other medical professional that the student be allowed to bring the service dog in school buildings, including the classroom, and on school grounds; and (2) certification that the service dog has been trained by a recognized training agency or school.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill allows a student classified as eligible for special education programs and services for autism or other developmental disability to bring a medically-recommended service dog in school buildings, including the classroom, and on school grounds. Under the bill, the parent or guardian of a student who seeks authorization for a service dog is required to provide the school district with: (1) a written recommendation from a physician or other medical professional that the student be allowed to bring the service dog in a school building, including the classroom, and on school grounds; and (2) certification that the service dog has been trained by a recognized training agency or school.