HB 5790

Abstract

Amends the School Code, the Swimming Facility Act, the Humane Care for Animals Act, the Pedestrians with Disabilities Safety Act, the Criminal Code of 2012, and the Unified Code of Corrections. Defines "service animal" for the purposes of those Acts as an animal that has completed a formal training program for the purposes of assisting or accommodating a person's sensory, mental, physical, or psychiatric disability, including, but not limited to, a person with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or a traumatic brain injury, by performing tasks for the benefit of that person that are directly related to the person's disability. Amends the Insurance Code. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall provide coverage for the purchase of a service animal that has completed a formal training program for the purposes of assisting or accommodating a person's sensory, mental, physical, or psychiatric disability, including, but not limited to, a person with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or a traumatic brain injury, by performing tasks for the benefit of that person that are directly related to the person's disability, provided that the insured's health care provider certifies in writing that a service dog is medically necessary.