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HB 6216

AN ACT CONCERNING A REGISTRATION SYSTEM FOR SERVICE AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Billy Buckbee and 1 co-sponsor

Connecticut proposes creating a state registration system for service and emotional support animals to clarify legitimate status and reduce fraudulent claims.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment
#agriculture #departmentof #serviceanimals
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Bill Summary · HB 6216

Legislative bill overview

HB 6216 proposes establishing a state registration system for service animals and emotional support animals in Connecticut. The bill would create an official registry allowing owners to register their animals and receive documentation of their status.

Why is this important

Service animals and emotional support animals play distinct roles in people's lives—service animals are trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities, while emotional support animals provide comfort through companionship. A registration system could help clarify which animals have legitimate status, potentially reducing fraud where people falsely claim pets are service animals to avoid housing or airline restrictions.

Potential points of contention

  • Defining and distinguishing categories: Service animals (task-trained) and emotional support animals (companionship-based) have different legal protections under federal law; the bill must carefully align state registration with these distinctions to avoid creating confusion or unintended consequences
  • Privacy and government tracking concerns: A mandatory or even voluntary registry could raise concerns about government databases tracking animal owners and their medical/disability information
  • Enforcement and fraud prevention: While reducing fraud is a goal, the bill's actual mechanisms for verifying legitimate animals versus preventing false registrations remain unclear without seeing specific language

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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