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Montana committee advances bill tightening documentation for emotional support animals
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced SB149 as amended to require ESA documentation from practitioners licensed in Montana, aiming to curb online fraudulent certificates while raising concerns from disability advocates and telehealth patients.
Senate Judiciary advanced SB149 on a 6-3 roll-call vote after amending it to require that the healthcare practitioner who provides documentation for an emotional support animal be licensed to practice in Montana.
Senator Logi, sponsor of SB149, told the committee the bill is intended to "tighten that framework" so landlords and tenants are protected from online scams that sell ESA letters. "This bill is not about restricting access to emotional support animals if it's really needed," he said, adding the measure targets fraudulent online registries.
Supporters described real-world problems that prompted the bill. "I paid $89. I got a call two days later... Absolutely no…
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