Rhode Island Statutes, 1975, Chapter 9.1, Sections 31-18-14, 39-2-13, 40-9.1-1, 40-9.1-2, and 40-9.1-3, amended 1990; Chapter 13, Sections 4-13-16.1Rhode Island statutes guarantee a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in all public accommodations and on all public transportation. No extra charge can be levied because of the dog’s presence, but the dog guide user is liable for any damages the dog might cause to the premises. Public accommodations include hotels, restaurants, stores, places of resort and amusement, and all other places to which the public is invited. (Sect. 40-9.1-1, Sect. 40-9.1-2) Any dog guide may enter any public facility if the dog is clearly identified as such by a yellow harness and trained by a recognized training school. (Sect. 39-2-13) Public transportation include, buses, trains, airplanes, taxis, elevators, and all other modes of conveyances offered for public use. (Sect. 40-9.1-1, Sect. 40-9.1-2) Vehicles will yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian with a dog guide. (Sect. 31-18-14) Violation: Any person who interferes with the above-enumerated rights is subject to a fine not to exceed $500 upon conviction. (Sect 40-9.1-3) The owner or keeper of a dog which kills or bites a dog guide or bites its blind owner, will be liable to the blind person aggrieved for double all damages sustained, to be recovered in a civil action with the costs of the suit. (Sect. 4-13-16.1)
South Carolina,
South Carolina Statutes, 1976, Chapter 33, Sections 43-33-10 through 43-33-70, amended 1993South Carolina statutes guarantee a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a dog guide in all public accommodations and on all public transportation. Dog guide users are also guaranteed equal housing accommodations. No extra charge can be levied because of the dog guide’s presence, but the dog guide user is liable for any damages the dog might cause to the premises. Landlords are not required to modify their property, nor to provide a higher degree of care than that provided other tenants. State policy also endorses the right of a blind person to equal employment opportunity in state service, or the service of its political subdivisions and public schools, and in employment supported in whole or part by public funds, except when the visual disability prevents performance of the work involved. Public accommodations include stores, hotels, restaurants, places of resort and amusement, and all other places to which the public is invited. (Sect. 43-33-20) Public transportation includes taxis, trains, airplanes, buses, and all other forms of transportation offered for public use. (Sect. 43-33-20) Housing accommodations include all real property offered for rent or lease as a residence or sleeping place, except for a single family dwelling, whose occupants offer no more than one room for rent. (Sect. 43-33-70) 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 approaching a pedestrian utilizing a guide dog shall take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to the pedestrian. (Sect. 43-33-30) Violation: Any person who interferes with the legal rights enumerated above is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Sect. 43-33-40)
South Dakota,
South Dakota Statutes, SDCL 20-13-23.1 through 20-13-23-.4 last amended in 1995South Dakota law guarantees a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a dog guide in all public accommodations. A dog guide user also has a legal right to rent or lease an apartment or other residential housing without discrimination. No extra charge can be levied because of the dog guide’s presence, but the dog guide user is liable for any damage the dog might cause to the premises. Public accommodations include hotels, restaurants, stores, and all other places to which the general public is invited. (Sect. 20-13-23.1, Sect. 20-13-23.2) All modes of transportation are generally included within the definition of public accommodations. (Sect. 20-13-23.1, Sect. 20-13-23.2) Violation: Anyone who interferes with the above-enumerated rights violates South Dakota law. (Sect. 20-13-23.3)
Tennessee,
Tennessee Statutes, Acts of 1955, Title 62, Chapter 7, Sections 62-7-112; 55-8-180; and 40-35-111Tennessee statutory law guarantees a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in harness in all public accommodations and on all public conveyances. A dog guide user is also guaranteed the legal right to all housing accommodations. No extra charge can be levied because of the dog guide’s presence, but the dog guide user is liable for any damage the dog might cause to the premises. The dog guide user may be requested to present for inspection the identification card furnished by a dog guide training institution to their graduates. Public accommodations under Tennessee law include such facilities as stores, theaters, motion picture houses, elevators, public transportation, restaurants, hotels, public educational institutions, and other places to which the general public is invited. (Sect. 62-7-112) A pedestrian being led by a dog guide has the right-of-way crossing a public street. (Sect. 55-8-180) Violation: Anyone who interferes with the above-enumerated legal rights is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Sect. 40-35-111)