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HB 384

Maryland Disability Service Animal Program - Established

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Gabriel Acevero and 38 co-sponsors

Maryland's vetoed bill would have established statewide service animal training and certification standards to improve disability services and prevent fraudulent animal claims.

Vetoed by the Governor (Policy)
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Bill Summary · HB 384

Legislative bill overview

HB 384 establishes a Maryland Disability Service Animal Program to provide support, training, and certification standards for service animals that assist individuals with disabilities. The bill creates regulatory frameworks and potentially funding mechanisms to ensure service animals meet consistent quality and safety standards across the state.

Why is this important

Service animals provide critical independence and safety for people with disabilities, yet oversight varies significantly. Establishing state standards helps prevent fraud (fake service animals), ensures proper training, and protects both disabled individuals and the general public. This addresses a growing problem where untrained animals claimed as "service animals" create access disputes and safety concerns.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding: Who pays for service animal training and certification—state budget, individuals, or private organizations—affects accessibility for low-income Marylanders with disabilities
  • Definition disputes: Determining which animals qualify and what training standards apply could conflict with federal ADA guidelines or exclude legitimate service animals
  • Governor's veto reasoning: The May 2025 veto suggests concerns about implementation costs, regulatory overreach, or conflicts with existing disability accommodation laws that weren't resolved despite amendments

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

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