Service animals; making certain acts unlawful; penalties; effective date.

An Act
ENROLLED HOUSE
BILL NO. 1178 By: Stark of the House

and

Bullard of the Senate

An Act relating to service animals; amending 4 O.S.
2021, Section 801, which relates to public
accommodations for service animals; making certain
acts unlawful; providing penalty; and providing an
effective date.

SUBJECT: Service animals

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:

SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 4 O.S. 2021, Section 801, is
amended to read as follows:

Section 801. A. For purposes of this section:

1. The terms "place of public accommodation", "public
accommodation" and "service animal" shall have the same meaning as
such terms are defined in 28 C.F.R., Section 36.104. "Service
animal" does not include an emotional support animal or a therapy
animal;

2. "Emotional support animal" means an animal selected to
reside with an individual with a disability that does not work or
perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability and
does not accompany at all times an individual with a disability; and

3. "Therapy animal" means a personal pet who is certified to
make therapeutic visits with a trained volunteer to places
including, but not limited to, nursing facilities, schools and
hospitals to bring therapeutic benefit, comfort and cheer to others.

ENR. H. B. NO. 1178 Page 2
B. A public accommodation may adopt a policy to prohibit
animals, except service animals, from entering the place of public
accommodation.

C. A public accommodation which adopts such a policy shall post
a sign in a conspicuous location outside the entrance of the place
of public accommodation stating which animals or types of animals
are prohibited. Such sign shall also state that service animals are
permitted.

D. If a public accommodation inquires into the qualification of
a service animal, the public accommodation shall comply with 28
C.F.R., Section 36.302(c)(6).

E. Any person who is not an individual with a disability or is
not trained to assist individuals with disabilities, who uses a
service animal in an attempt to gain treatment or benefits as an
individual with a disability shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a
misdemeanor.

F. No person shall knowingly present any animal or therapy
animal as a service animal or intentionally misrepresent entitlement
to an animal in his or her possession as a qualified service animal
for the purpose of obtaining any of the rights or privileges set
forth in state or federal law for an individual with a disability.
Any person who violates this subsection shall, upon conviction, be
guilty of a misdemeanor.

SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2025.

ENR. H. B. NO. 1178 Page 3
Passed the House of Representatives the 18th day of March, 2025.

Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives

Passed the Senate the 6th day of May, 2025.

Presiding Officer of the Senate

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.

_________________________________
Governor of the State of Oklahoma

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________