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SF 4928

Person who sells emotional support dogs to provide notice that the dog is not a service dog requirement

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Cwodzinski and 2 co-sponsors

Sellers of emotional support dogs must clearly inform buyers that ESAs are not service dogs and lack the trained-task capabilities and access rights of service animals.

Author added Frentz
#commerceandcommercedepartment #pets
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Bill Summary · SF 4928

Summary of SF 4928 (Minnesota, 2025-2026)

Title

Person who sells emotional support dogs to provide notice that the dog is not a service dog

Purpose and intent

SF 4928 requires individuals or businesses that sell emotional support dogs to provide clear notice that the dog is not a service dog. The bill aims to reduce confusion and potential misrepresentation by ensuring buyers are informed that an emotional support animal (ESA) is not a trained service animal and does not have the same rights or access privileges as a service dog.

Key provisions and changes

  • Notice requirement for sellers of emotional support dogs

    • Any person or entity that sells an emotional support dog must provide explicit notice that the dog is not a service dog.
    • The notice is intended to accompany the sale or transfer of ownership and should clearly communicate that the animal is not trained to perform tasks to assist an individual with a disability, as required for a service dog.

  • Scope and applicability

    • Applies to individuals or businesses engaged in selling emotional support dogs in Minnesota.
    • Focuses on matters of disclosure at the point of sale or transfer of the dog to a buyer or recipient.

  • Definitions (by context)

    • The bill distinguishes between “emotional support dogs” and “service dogs,” underscoring that emotional support dogs do not have the same trained-task capabilities or legal access rights as service animals.

Who would be affected

  • ** sellers/distributors of emotional support dogs**: Corporations, businesses, breeders, or individuals who sell ESAs would be required to provide the mandated notice.
  • ** Buyers/recipients of emotional support dogs**: Individuals purchasing ESAs would receive clearer information about the limitations of the animal’s role and rights.
  • ** General public and enforcement entities**: The notice requirement could be relevant for consumer protection oversight and potential compliance checks.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative history to date
    • Introduced and referred to the Commerce and Consumer Protection committee on March 26, 2026.
    • Authorship changes in April 2026 adding co-sponsors (Frentz, Housley, Cwodzinski) to the bill.
    • No further action noted in the provided history beyond referral; status would proceed through committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes as per Minnesota legislative process.

Practical impact and considerations

  • The bill, if enacted, would formalize a labeling requirement to help consumers distinguish ESAs from service animals.
  • Could influence seller disclosures, marketing practices, and consumer understanding of animal-assisted accommodations.
  • May intersect with broader discussions about access rights, as service dogs have specific public-access protections that ESAs do not.

Note

  • The summary reflects the bill’s current language and intent based on the provided materials. For full compliance requirements, exact notice language, penalties for noncompliance, and any definitional sections, the text of the enacted statute or amended bill would need to be reviewed.

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

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