New Rules from DOT ~ Service Dogs and Air Travel

New proposed rules from the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) that seek to clarify Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulations regarding the transportation of service animals by air and that are intended the ensure that America’s air transportation system is safe for the traveling public and accessible to individuals with disabilities, are expected to be published in the Federal Register by the end of this week.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL:

1. Defines a “service animal” as a dog that is individually trained to do work to perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability.

2. It allows airlines to recognize emotional support animals as pets rather than as service animals.

3. It allows airlines to require all passengers with a disability traveling with a service animal to complete forms attesting to the animal’s training and behavior, certifying the animal’s good health, and confirming that the animal has the ability either not to relieve itself on a long flight or to relieve itself in a sanitary manner, and submit completed forms to the airline.

4. Clarifies existing prohibitions on airlines’ imposing breed restrictions on service animals.

5. It allows airlines to set policies to limit the number of service animals that one passenger can bring onboard an aircraft.

6. Requires service animals to be harnessed, leashed, or otherwise tethered; and addresses the safe transport of large service animals in aircraft cabins.

7. Clarifies when the user of a service animal may be charged for damage caused by a service animal.

8. Addresses the responsibilities of airline code-share partners.