Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine
Kansas,
K.S.A. 39-1101, Sections 39-1101 through 39-1106, amended in 1981Kansas statutory law guarantees a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in all public accommodations and on all common carriers. No extra charge can be levied because of the dog’s presence, but the dog guide user is liable for any damage to the premises that the dog might cause. It is Kansas state policy to ensure equal opportunity in employment to blind persons in its state service, or in the service of its political subdivisions, in public schools, and in all public employment, supported in whole or in part by public funds, except where the disability prevents performance of the work involved. Public accommodations include public buildings, hotels, lodging places, establishment for sale of food, places of resort and amusement, and all other places to which the general public is invited. (Sect. 39-1101, Sect 39-1102) Common carriers include boats, airplanes, buses, trains, and all other modes of transportation offered for public use. (Sect. 39-1101, Sect. 39-1102) Violation: Any person, firm, or corporation or agent thereof who interferes with the above enumerated rights is guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable accordingly. (Sect. 29-1103)
Kentucky,
Kentucky Revised Statutes of 1990, Chapter 258.500, Sections 1 through 10; Penalty - Chapter 258.991, Chapter 189.575Kentucky statutory law guarantees a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a dog guide trained by a recognized dog guide school, in all public accommodations and on all public transportation. The dog must be in harness and in the custody of the dog guide user. The dog guide user can be required to muzzle the dog guide and must have verification of the dog’s training, such as an identification card issued by the particular school. The dog may not occupy a seat on a public conveyance, and the common carrier cannot levy an additional charge because the of the dog guide’s presence. Public accommodations include public buildings, restaurants, theaters, places of amusement, hotels, and all places to which the public is invited. (Sect. 1) Public transportation includes trains, buses, airplanes, taxis, public elevators, and all other common carriers. (Sect. 1, Sect. 3) The operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any blind pedestrian carrying a clearly visible white cane or accompanied by a dog guide. (Sect.189.575) Violation: Any person who violates the above enumerated rights is punishable by a fine not to exceed $100, nor less than $25, or imprisonment for not less than 10 days, nor more than 30 days, or both. (Chapter 258.991)
Louisiana,
Louisiana White Cane Law: Chapter 23, Acts of 1982, No.518, Section 1, R.S. 46:1951 through 46:1954; Penalty - Act of 1962, Number 33, Section 1, R.S. 21:52, amended in 1981Louisiana statutes guarantee a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a dog guide trained by a dog guide school in all places of public accommodation and on all public conveyances. The dog may not occupy a seat and the dog guide user should have his or her identification card (furnished by the school that trained the dog) with him or her. A dog guide user also has a legal right to equal housing accommodations in regard to both rentals and sales. A blind person also has a legal right to equal employment opportunity in state service or service of the political subdivision including public schools and all other employment supported in whole or in part by public funds. Public accommodations include hotels, lodging places, restaurants, stores, places of resort and amusement, and all other places to which the public is invited. (R.S. 46:1953) Public conveyances include trains, buses, airplanes, taxi, streetcars, boats, and all other common carriers. (R.S. 46:1953) Housing includes any real property or portion thereof which has been offered for rent, lease, or compensation as a home, residence, or sleeping place, but shall not include single family residences which offer not more than one room for rent, lease or furnish for compensation. (R.S. 46:1952(2) and R.S. 46:1954) Violation: Any person, firm, or corporation who interferes with the above rights is guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine not to exceed $500, or imprisonment not to exceed 6 months, or both. In addition, the blind individual who has been discriminated against may sue for actual damages for each offense in any court of competent jurisdiction. (R.S. 21:52)
Maine,
Maine Statues: Model White Cane Law, Chapter 58, Public Laws of 1971, 17 M.R.S.A., Section 1311 through 1316, amended in 1981Maine statutory law guarantees a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in all public accommodations and on all modes of public transportation. No extra charge can be levied because of the presence of the dog guide, but the dog guide user is liable for any damages the dog might cause to the premises. Maine law also ensures the right of a blind person to equal employment in its state service, the service of its political subdivisions, in public schools, and in any employment supported in whole or in part by public funds, unless the visual disability prevents the performance of the work involved. Public accommodations include hotels, restaurants, stores, motels, places of resort and amusement, and all other places to which the public is invited. (Sect. 1312) Public conveyances include boats, trains, buses, streetcars, airplanes, and all other modes of transportation offered for public use. (Sect. 1312) The driver of a vehicle approaching a totally or partially blind pedestrian who is carrying a cane predominantly white or metallic in color, with or without a red tip, or using a guide dog shall take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to such blind pedestrian. Any driver, who fails to such precautions, shall be liable in damages for any injury caused such pedestrian. (Sect. 1313) Violation: Any person, firm, or corporation or agent thereof who interferes