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Committee hears landlords, disability advocates on emotional-support-animal verification bill
Summary
Senate Bill 149 would tighten documentation for emotional support animals in housing; proponents said online 'certificates' are frauds that pressure landlords, while Disability Rights Montana warned about potential Fair Housing Act conflicts and unintended burdens for students and out-of-state tenants.
Senate Bill 149, which would clarify documentation and practitioner standards for emotional-support animals (ESAs) in housing, drew supporters who said online certificates are fraudulent and opponents who warned the bill may conflict with federal Fair Housing rules and create liability for landlords.
Sponsor Sen. Denley Loge told the House Judiciary Committee the bill is intended to curb scams: “people go online, they buy this certification, total fraud,” he said, and landlords are pressured to accept documents issued with no examination or established…
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