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Users of service animals tell lawmakers denials are rising; bill would study enforcement gaps

Joint Committee on Children and Families and Persons with Disabilities · November 18, 2025
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Summary

Service-animal users, including the Statehouse ADA coordinator, described frequent denials by rideshares, restaurants and landlords and asked the Legislature to create a study commission (S2714) to document discrimination and recommend enforcement changes.

Carl Richardson, the Statehouse ADA coordinator and a blind guide‑dog user, recounted being refused rides and described seeking redress through MCAD and other channels without success. "Denials are increasing, and there's no way to enforce it the way the laws are currently set up," Richardson told the committee as he urged passage of S2714, which would establish a commission to study discrimination in public accommodations for service‑animal users.

Multiple witnesses — guide‑dog users, disability advocates and representatives of the Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library — described examples of being blocked from restaurants, rideshares and housing and said that existing complaint routes (MCAD, DOJ) are slow, burdensome and not restorative. Nora Nagel and Ellen Lee described repeated refusals and hostile interactions that reduced mobility options.

Testimony asked the committee to study enforcement mechanisms, collect data on the frequency and settings of denials, and propose steps to improve education and remedies for people who use service animals.

The committee heard the testimony and asked follow‑up questions; no committee action was taken during the session.