BILL NUMBER:S838

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the social services law, in relation
to providing grant assistance for service dogs

PURPOSE:

To provide grant assistance of up to five thousand dollars to
individuals for whom a service dog is deemed medically necessary by a
licensed physician, to assist in covering the costs required for the
health or maintenance of such service dog.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill amends social services law section 303-a
subdivision 4 to renumber it to subdivision 5.  Subdivision 4 is added
to require grant assistance of up to five thousand dollars for the
purchase and training, food, and any other expense required for the
health or maintenance of such service dog, provided such service dog
is deemed medically necessary by a licensed physician.

Section 2 of the bill is the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:

The benefits of service animals as a form of medical treatment for
              

physical and mental disabilities are widely recognized.  Licensed
physicians often determine service animals to be a medical necessity
for individuals with certain mental or physical disabilities. Despite
such animals being deemed necessary, under current law, the impaired
individual bears the exorbitant cost of acquiring, training, and
maintaining the service animal. Therefore, these individuals are often
forced to seek outside assistance to alleviate these costs, such as
through not-for-profit organizations.  By providing a grant to help
cover the costs associated with acquisition, training, and maintenance
of service animals, this legislation will relieve impaired individuals
for whom service animals are deemed medically necessary, of the burden
of this high-cost form of treatment.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

The cost implications have not been fully determined.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

60 days after immediately bill becomes a law.