Committee endorses stricter penalties and outreach for harming or harassing service animals

The Senate/House Judiciary Interim Committee on Oct. 28, 2025 voted to recommend a committee bill that would (1) direct the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code to publish contact information and the website for the state's protection and advocacy agency (the Disability Law Center) to help the public understand service‑animal law, and (2) strengthen criminal penalties for knowingly or recklessly injuring, harassing or endangering a service animal.

Representative Carrie Ann Lisonbee presented the draft and said training a guide dog can cost between $18,000 and $75,000 and can take six to 24 months; the bill would increase the maximum penalty for intentional or reckless harm to a service animal. Lisonbee said the measure is aimed at incidents that can cause injury to both the handler and the animal, including attacks by other animals in public places.

Why it matters: Committee members and advocates argued that service animals are costly to train and provide critical functional benefits to people with disabilities. Supporters told the committee that harm to an operational service animal can end the handler's ability to travel safely or live independently while also requiring expensive replacement training.

Debate and questions

Representative Michael Miller and others questioned whether elevating certain acts to a felony might be overbroad, noting prosecutorial discretion and plea negotiations may limit the practical impact of a penalty increase. Miller said he supported publication of Disability Law Center contact information but worried a third‑degree felony for some conduct could be too severe.

Nate Krippas, supervising attorney at the Disability Law Center, told the committee the center supports improved public information and said "a little bit of information goes a long way" for resolving many service‑animal disputes without resorting to criminal prosecution.

Vote and disposition

Representative Lisonbee moved that the committee favorably recommend the service animal amendments as a committee bill. The motion passed; the chair later announced the bill passed the committee with one House member voting no (Representative Michael Miller).

Implementation notes

The draft designates the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code to publish Disability Law Center contact information on its website and raises statutory penalties for knowingly, intentionally or recklessly harming service animals; the bill file will be prepared as a committee bill for further drafting and session consideration.