Full Statute Name:  Connecticut General Statutes Annotated. Title 46A. Human Rights. Chapter 814B. Mobility Impaired Persons; Chapter 814C. Human Rights and Opportunities. Part II. Discriminatory Practices. Title 53. Crimes. Chapter 946. Offenses Against Public Policy.

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Primary Citation:  C. G. S. A. § 13b-119; § 46a-42; § 46a-44; § 46a-64; § 53-330a; § 22-345; § 22-364b; § 14-300; § 17a-22ee Country of Origin:  United States Last Checked:  October, 2023 Alternate Citation:  CT ST § 13b-119; § 46a-42; § 46a-44; § 46a-64; § 53-330a; § 22-345; § 22-364b; § 14-300; § 17a-22ee Historical: 
Summary: The following statutes comprise the state's relevant assistance animal and guide dog laws.

 

Title 13b. Transportation. Chapter 244C. Transportation Network Company Vehicles

§ 13b-119. Transportation network company driver requirements. Adoption of policies re drugs and alcohol and illness and fatigue. Operation as transportation network company driver without authority; penalty. Certification re condition of transportation network company vehicle

Title 46A. Human Rights. Chapter 814B. Mobility Impaired Persons.

§ 46a-42 . "Mobility impaired persons" defined

§ 46a-44 . Access of guide and assistance dogs to modes of public transportation and in places of public accommodation

Title 46A. Human Rights. Chapter 814C. Human Rights and Opportunities. Part II. Discriminatory Practices.

§ 46a-64 . Discriminatory public accommodations practices prohibited. Penalty

Title 53. Crimes. Chapter 946. Offenses Against Public Policy.
§ 53-330a . Access to public transportation and places of public accommodation for volunteer canine search and rescue teams.
 
Title 22. Agriculture. Domestic Animals. Chapter 435. Dogs and Other Companion Animals. Kennels and Pet Shops
§ 22-345 . License and tag for for service animals for persons with a disability
 
Title 22. Agriculture. Domestic Animals. Chapter 435. Dogs and Other Companion Animals. Kennels and Pet Shops
§ 22-364b . Control of dogs in proximity to guide dogs
 
Title 17a. Social and Human Services and Resources. Chapter 319. Department of Children and Families. Part I. General Provisions.

§ 17a-22ee. Animal-assisted therapy. Volunteer canine crisis response team. Crisis response program
 
Title 14. Motor Vehicles. Use of the Highway by Vehicles. Gasoline. Chapter 249. Traffic Control and Highway Safety. Part I. Traffic Control

§ 14-300. Crosswalks. Pedestrian-control signals. Regulation of pedestrians and motor vehicles at crosswalks. Pedestrians who are blind or have guide dogs
 

Connecticut General Statutes Annotated. Title 13b. Transportation. Chapter 244C. Transportation Network Company Vehicles

§ 13b-119. Transportation network company driver requirements. Adoption of policies re drugs and alcohol and illness and fatigue. Operation as transportation network company driver without authority; penalty. Certification re condition of transportation network company vehicle

(a) Prior to permitting an individual to act as a transportation network company driver on its digital network, the transportation network company shall: (1) Require the individual to submit an application to the company that includes information regarding the individual's name, address, date of birth, motor vehicle operator's license number and motor vehicle registration; (2) (A) conduct, or have a consumer reporting agency regulated under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act1 conduct, a driving record check and a local, state and national criminal history records check, including a search of state and national sexual offender registry databases provided such databases are accessible to the public, or (B) arrange for the fingerprinting of the individual to be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history records check and to the State Police Bureau of Identification for a state criminal history records check conducted in accordance with section 29-17a; and (3) disclose to such individual, electronically or in writing, (A) the insurance coverage, including the types of coverage and any coverage limits, that the company provides while a transportation network company driver is connected to the company's digital network or is engaged in the provision of a prearranged ride, and (B) that a transportation network company driver's personal automobile insurance policy might not provide coverage while such driver is connected to the company's digital network, available to receive a request for a prearranged ride or engaged in the provision of a prearranged ride.

(b) A transportation network company shall conduct, or have a consumer reporting agency regulated under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act conduct, a local, state and national criminal history records check, including a search of state and national sexual offender registry databases, or arrange for the fingerprinting of the individual to be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history records check and to the State Police Bureau of Identification for a state criminal history records check conducted in accordance with section 29-17a, at least once every three years after permitting an individual to act as a transportation network company driver.

(c) (1) No transportation network company shall permit an individual to act as a transportation network company driver on its digital network if such individual: (A) Has, during the three years prior to the date of such individual's application to be a transportation network company driver, (i) committed more than three moving violations, as defined in section 14-111g, (ii) committed one serious traffic violation, as defined in section 14-1, or (iii) had his or her motor vehicle operator's license suspended pursuant to section 14-227b; (B) has been convicted, within seven years prior to the date of such individual's application, of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, fraud, sexual offenses, use of a motor vehicle to commit a felony, acts of violence or acts of terror; (C) is included in the state sexual offenders registry or the United States Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Website; (D) does not possess a Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license or a motor vehicle operator's license issued by a reciprocal state; (E) does not possess proof of registration for each motor vehicle such individual proposes to use as a transportation network company vehicle; or (F) is not at least nineteen years of age. For the purposes of this subsection, “reciprocal state” means a state that permits transportation network company drivers who possess a Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license to provide a prearranged ride that originates in such state.

(2) An individual who is permitted to act as a transportation network company driver shall report to the transportation network company not later than twenty-four hours after the occurrence of any of the following incidents: (A) The commission of a fourth moving violation, as defined in section 14-111g, during the past three years; (B) the commission of one serious traffic violation, as defined in section 14-1; (C) the suspension of his or her motor vehicle operator's license pursuant to section 14-227b; (D) the conviction of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, fraud, sexual offenses, use of a motor vehicle to commit a felony, acts of violence or acts of terror; (E) inclusion in the state sexual offenders registry or the United States Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Website; (F) failure to possess an operator's license; or (G) failure to possess proof of registration for a transportation network company vehicle. Each transportation network company that receives a report pursuant to this subdivision or becomes aware of such incident shall prohibit the individual from acting as a transportation network company driver on the company's digital network until the individual meets the qualifications of this section to be a transportation network company driver.

(d) (1) A transportation network company shall adopt a policy that a transportation network company driver shall not use or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while the driver is connected to the company's digital network or engaged in the provision of a prearranged ride. The company shall provide notice of such policy on its Internet web site, and include procedures for a transportation network company rider to report a complaint about a driver whom the rider reasonably suspects was using or under the influence of drugs or alcohol while engaged in the provision of a prearranged ride.

(2) Upon the company's receipt of a complaint by a rider alleging a violation of such policy, the company shall suspend the driver's access to the company's digital network as soon as possible and conduct an investigation into the reported incident. The suspension shall last until completion of the investigation. If the investigation confirms the driver used or was under the influence of drugs or alcohol while engaged in the provision of a prearranged ride or while connected to the company's digital network, the company shall ban the driver's access to the digital network on a permanent basis.

(3) The company shall maintain all records related to the enforcement of such policy for a period of not less than three years from the date that a complaint by a rider is received by the company.

(e) A transportation network company shall adopt a policy that prohibits a transportation network company driver from providing a prearranged ride when such driver's ability to operate a transportation network company motor vehicle is impaired by illness, fatigue or any other condition that would likely preclude safe operation of such vehicle.

(f) A transportation network company driver shall: (1) Comply with all applicable laws regarding nondiscrimination against transportation network company riders or potential transportation network company riders on the basis of age, color, creed, destination, intellectual or physical disability, national origin, race, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity; (2) comply with all applicable laws relating to the accommodation of service animals and accommodate service animals without imposing additional charges for such accommodation; (3) comply with the policies adopted by the transportation network company pursuant to subsection (c) of section 13b-118 and subsections (d) and (e) of this section; (4) not impose additional charges for providing prearranged rides to persons with physical disabilities because of such disabilities; and (5) not solicit or accept a request for transportation unless the request is accepted through the transportation network company's digital network.

(g) (1) Any person who holds himself or herself out to be a transportation network company driver who is not permitted by a transportation network company to use its digital network shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

(2) The state shall remit to a municipality fifty per cent of the fine amount received for a violation of subdivision (1) of this subsection with respect to each summons issued by such municipality. Each clerk of the Superior Court or the Chief Court Administrator, or any other official of the Superior Court designated by the Chief Court Administrator, shall, on or before the thirtieth day of January, April, July and October in each year, certify to the Comptroller the amount due for the previous quarter under this subsection to each municipality served by the office of the clerk or official.

(h) (1) A transportation network company vehicle shall (A) have four doors; (B) not be older than twelve model years old; and (C) be designed to transport no more than eight passengers, including the driver.

(2) Before any motor vehicle is used by a transportation network company driver as a transportation network company vehicle, and every two years thereafter, the driver shall certify to the transportation network company that the following equipment is in good working order: (A) Foot brakes; (B) emergency brakes; (C) steering mechanism; (D) windshield; (E) rear window and other glass; (F) windshield wipers; (G) headlights; (H) tail lights; (I) turn indicator lights; (J) brake lights; (K) front seat adjustment mechanism; (L) doors; (M) horn; (N) speedometer; (O) bumpers; (P) muffler and exhaust system; (Q) condition of tires, including tread depth; (R) interior and exterior rearview mirrors; and (S) seat safety belts and air bags for driver and passengers. The transportation network company shall maintain such certification for not less than three years.

Credits

(2017, P.A. 17-140, § 4, eff. Jan. 1, 2018; 2019, P.A. 19-161, § 3, eff. Oct. 1, 2019.)

Footnotes
1 15 U.S.C.A. § 1681 et seq.

 

Title 46A. Human Rights. Chapter 814B. Mobility Impaired Persons.

§ 46a-42. "Mobility impaired persons" defined

For purposes of sections 22-345, 46a-44 and 46a-64: "Mobility impaired person" means any person, regardless of age, who is subject to a physiological defect or deficiency regardless of its cause, nature or extent that renders the person unable to move about without the aid of crutches, a wheelchair or any other form of support, or that limits the person's functional ability to ambulate, climb, descend, sit or rise or to perform any related function.

CREDIT(S)

(1958 Rev., § 22-345a; 1985, P.A. 85-289, § 3; 1988, P.A. 88-364, § 31, eff. June 8, 1988; 1995, P.A. 95-33, § 1.)

 

§ 46a-44. Access of guide and assistance dogs to modes of public transportation and in places of public accommodation

(a) Any blind, deaf or mobility impaired person or any person training a dog as a guide dog for a blind person or an assistance dog to assist a deaf or mobility impaired person may travel on a train or on any other mode of public transportation, and may enter any other place of public accommodation which caters or offers its services or facilities or goods to the general public, including but not limited to, any public building, inn, restaurant, hotel, motel, tourist cabin, place of amusement, resort or any facility of any such public accommodation, accompanied by such person's guide dog or assistance dog, and such person may keep such dog with him or her at all times in any such public accommodation or facility thereof at no extra charge, provided such dog shall be in the direct custody of such person and shall be wearing a harness or an orange-colored leash and collar.

(b) Any blind, deaf or mobility impaired person or any person training a dog as a guide dog for a blind person or an assistance dog to assist a deaf or mobility impaired person shall be entitled to visit any place of public accommodation, resort or amusement or a dwelling as a guest of a lawful occupant thereof, accompanied by such person's guide dog or assistance dog, and such person may keep such dog with him or her at all times in such public accommodation, resort, amusement or dwelling at no extra charge, provided such dog shall be in the direct custody of such person and shall be wearing a harness or an orange-colored leash and collar. No such blind, deaf or mobility impaired person or person training a dog as a guide dog or an assistance dog shall be charged any fee not applicable alike to all guests, provided the owner of such dog shall be liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by such dog. For the purposes of this subsection, (1) a “place of public accommodation, resort or amusement” means any establishment which caters or offers its services or facilities or goods to the general public, including, but not limited to, any commercial building lot, on which it is intended that a commercial property or building will be constructed or offered for sale or rent, and (2) “dwelling” means any building, structure, mobile manufactured home park or portion thereof which is occupied as, or designed or intended for occupancy as, a residence by one or more families, and any vacant land which is offered for sale or lease for the construction or location thereon of any such building, structure, mobile manufactured home park or portion thereof, provided the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to (A) the rental of a room or rooms in a single-family dwelling unit, if the owner actually maintains and occupies part of such living quarters as the owner's residence or (B) a unit in a dwelling containing living quarters occupied or intended to be occupied by no more than two families living independently of each other, if the owner actually maintains and occupies the other such living quarters as the owner's residence.

(c) Any person who intentionally interferes with a blind, deaf or mobility impaired person's use of a guide dog or an assistance dog, including, but not limited to, any action intended to harass or annoy the blind, deaf or mobility impaired person, the person training a dog as a guide dog or assistance dog or the guide dog or assistance dog, or who denies the rights afforded to a blind, deaf or mobility impaired person or person training a dog as a guide dog or an assistance dog under subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor, provided such blind, deaf or mobility impaired person or person training a dog as a guide dog or an assistance dog complies with the applicable provisions of subsection (a) or (b) of this section.

(d) For the purposes of this section, “guide dog” or “assistance dog” includes a dog being trained as a guide dog or assistance dog and “person training a dog as a guide dog for a blind person or an assistance dog to assist a deaf or mobility impaired person” means a person who is employed by and authorized to engage in designated training activities by a guide dog organization or assistance dog organization that complies with the criteria for membership in a professional association of guide dog or assistance dog schools and who carries photographic identification indicating such employment and authorization, or a person who volunteers for a guide dog organization or assistance dog organization that authorizes such volunteers to raise dogs to become guide dogs or assistance dogs and causes the identification of such dog with (1) identification tags, (2) ear tattoos, (3) identifying bandanas on puppies, (4) identifying coats on adult dogs, or (5) leashes and collars.

Credits

(1958 Rev., § 22-346a; 1963, P.A. 641, § 1; 1973, P.A. 73-279, § 3; 1976, P.A. 76-49, § 2; 1985, P.A. 85-289, § 6; 1989, P.A. 89-21, § 1; 1992, P.A. 92-257, § 5; 1997, P.A. 97-141, § 1; 2004, P.A. 04-71, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2005; 2017, P.A. 17-102, § 1.) 

 

Title 46A. Human Rights. Chapter 814C. Human Rights and Opportunities. Part II. Discriminatory Practices.

§ 46a-64. Discriminatory public accommodations practices prohibited. Penalty

(a) It shall be a discriminatory practice in violation of this section: (1) To deny any person within the jurisdiction of this state full and equal accommodations in any place of public accommodation, resort or amusement because of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income, intellectual disability, mental disability, physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness or deafness, status as a veteran or status as a victim of domestic violence, of the applicant, subject only to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable alike to all persons; (2) to discriminate, segregate or separate on account of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income, intellectual disability, mental disability, learning disability, physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness or deafness, status as a veteran or status as a victim of domestic violence; (3) for a place of public accommodation, resort or amusement to restrict or limit the right of a mother to breast-feed her child; (4) for a place of public accommodation, resort or amusement to fail or refuse to post a notice, in a conspicuous place, that any blind, deaf or mobility impaired person, accompanied by his guide dog wearing a harness or an orange-colored leash and collar, may enter such premises or facilities; or (5) to deny any blind, deaf or mobility impaired person or any person training a dog as a guide dog for a blind person or a dog to assist a deaf or mobility impaired person, accompanied by his guide dog or assistance dog, full and equal access to any place of public accommodation, resort or amusement. Any blind, deaf or mobility impaired person or any person training a dog as a guide dog for a blind person or a dog to assist a deaf or mobility impaired person may keep his guide dog or assistance dog with him at all times in such place of public accommodation, resort or amusement at no extra charge, provided the dog wears a harness or an orange-colored leash and collar and is in the direct custody of such person. The blind, deaf or mobility impaired person or person training a dog as a guide dog for a blind person or a dog to assist a deaf or mobility impaired person shall be liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by his dog. For purposes of this subdivision, “guide dog” or “assistance dog” includes a dog being trained as a guide dog or assistance dog and “person training a dog as a guide dog for a blind person or a dog to assist a deaf or mobility impaired person” means a person who is employed by and authorized to engage in designated training activities by a guide dog organization or assistance dog organization that complies with the criteria for membership in a professional association of guide dog or assistance dog schools and who carries photographic identification indicating such employment and authorization.

(b) (1) The provisions of this section with respect to the prohibition of sex discrimination shall not apply to (A) the rental of sleeping accommodations provided by associations and organizations which rent all such sleeping accommodations on a temporary or permanent basis for the exclusive use of persons of the same sex or (B) separate bathrooms or locker rooms based on sex. (2) The provisions of this section with respect to the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of age shall not apply to minors or to special discount or other public or private programs to assist persons sixty years of age and older. (3) The provisions of this section with respect to the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of physical disability shall not require any person to modify his property in any way or provide a higher degree of care for a physically disabled person, including, but not limited to blind or deaf persons, than for a person not physically disabled. (4) The provisions of this section with respect to the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of creed shall not apply to the practice of granting preference in admission of residents into a nursing home as defined in section 19a-490, if (A) the nursing home is owned, operated by or affiliated with a religious organization, exempt from taxation for federal income tax purposes and (B) the class of persons granted preference in admission is consistent with the religious mission of the nursing home. (5) The provisions of this section with respect to the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of lawful source of income shall not prohibit the denial of full and equal accommodations solely on the basis of insufficient income.

(c) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.

Credits
(1949 Rev., § 8375; 1949, Supp. § 691a; 1953, Supp. § 2464c; 1955, Supp. § 3267d; 1958 Rev., § 53-35; 1959, P.A. 113; 1961, P.A. 472, §§ 1, 2; 1963, P.A. 594; 1965, Feb.Sp.Sess., P.A. 141; 1967, P.A. 177, § 1; 1972, P.A. 186, § 15; 1973, P.A. 73-119; 1973, P.A. 73-279, § 6; 1974, P.A. 74-205; 1975, P.A. 75-323; 1976, P.A. 76-49, § 3; 1977, P.A. 77-604, § 37, eff. July 6, 1977; 1978, P.A. 78-148, § 12; 1979, P.A. 79-186; 1980, P.A. 80-422, § 12; 1980, P.A. 80-483, § 135, eff. June 6, 1980; 1985, P.A. 85-289, § 7; 1985, P.A. 85-512, § 5; 1988, P.A. 88-114; 1988, P.A. 88-288; 1989, P.A. 89-21, § 2; 1989, P.A. 89-288, § 2; 1990, P.A. 90-230, § 63, eff. June 8, 1990; 1990, P.A. 90-246, § 3; 1990, P.A. 90-330, § 4, eff. July 1, 1990; 1994, P.A. 94-238, § 4, eff. July 1, 1994; 1997, P.A. 97-141, § 2; 1997, P.A. 97-210, § 1; 2007, P.A. 07-217, § 167, eff. July 12, 2007; 2011, P.A. 11-55, § 25; 2011, P.A. 11-129, § 20; 2012, P.A. 12-80, § 94; 2017, P.A. 17-127, § 5; 2022, P.A. 22-82, § 13, eff. Oct. 1, 2022.)

 

Title 53. Crimes. Chapter 946. Offenses Against Public Policy.
 
§ 53-330a. Access to public transportation and places of public accommodation for volunteer canine search and rescue teams.
 
(a) Any individual who is an active member of a volunteer canine search and rescue team, as defined in section 5-249, may travel on a train or on any other mode of public transportation, and may enter or visit any other place of public accommodation which caters or offers its services or facilities or goods to the general public, including, but not limited to, any public building, inn, restaurant, hotel, motel, tourist cabin, place of amusement, resort or any facility of any such public accommodation, accompanied by the dog in such team, and such individual may keep such dog with him or her at all times in any such public accommodation or facility thereof at no extra charge, provided such team is engaged in a search or rescue operation and such dog shall be in the direct custody of such individual and shall wear a harness or red or orange-colored identification. No such individual shall be charged any fee not applicable alike to all guests, provided the owner of such dog shall be liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by such dog.

(b) Any person who denies the rights afforded to active individual members of a volunteer canine search and rescue team under subsection (a) of this section shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor, provided such individual member complies with the applicable provisions of subsection (a) of this section.

CREDIT(S)

(2004, P.A. 04-241, § 5.)
 
 
Title 22. Agriculture. Domestic Animals. Chapter 435. Dogs and Other Companion Animals. Kennels and Pet Shops
 
§ 22-345. License and tag for service animals for persons with a disability
 
Any person with a disability who is the owner or keeper of a dog which has been trained as a service animal, is in training to become a service animal for such person, is in training to become a service animal or is enrolled in a program described in section 17a-22ee shall receive a license and tag for such dog from the town clerk of the town where such dog is owned or kept. Such license and tag shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of section 22-340, and no fee shall be required of the owner or keeper of any such dog. When any such dog has not been previously licensed, by the town clerk to whom application is being made and it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, such town clerk may inquire of such owner or keeper whether the dog is a service animal required because of a disability and what work or task the dog has been trained to perform. Any person who has a dog placed with such person temporarily, including for breeding purposes, by a nonprofit organization established for the purpose of training or educating the dog as a service animal shall receive a license and tag for such dog from the town clerk of the town where such dog is kept. Such license and tag shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of section 22-340, and no fee shall be required for such license and tag, provided such person presents confirmation that such dog was placed with such person by such organization. As used in this section, (1) “disability” means any one or more of the following, as defined in section 46a-51: (A) An intellectual disability, (B) physically disabled, (C) a mental disability, or (D) a learning disability; and (2) “service animal” has the same meaning as provided in 28 CFR 35.104, as amended from time to time, and includes a service animal in training.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3391; 1953 Supp. §§ 1387c, 1829d; 1963, P.A. 613, § 16; 1976, P.A. 76-49, § 1; 1985, P.A. 85-289, § 5; 1989, P.A. 89-161, § 5; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 50, eff. June 28, 1993; 2001, P.A. 01-62, § 6; 2022, P.A. 22-54, § 5, eff. June 1, 2023.)
 

Title 22. Agriculture. Domestic Animals. Chapter 435. Dogs and Other Companion Animals. Kennels and Pet Shops
 
§ 22-364b. Control of dogs in proximity to guide dogs
 
The owner or keeper of a dog shall restrain and control such dog on a leash when such dog is not on the property of its owner or keeper and is in proximity to a person with a disability accompanied by a service animal, provided such service animal is readily identifiable as a service animal, is in the direct custody of such person and is licensed in accordance with section 22-345. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall have committed an infraction. If an owner or keeper of a dog violates the provisions of this section and, as a result of such violation, such dog attacks and injures the service animal, such owner or keeper shall be liable, as provided in section 22-357, for any damage done to such service animal, and such liability shall include liability for any costs incurred by such person for the veterinary care, rehabilitation or replacement of the injured service animal and for reasonable attorney's fees.
Credits
(1996, P.A. 96-243, § 9, eff. June 6, 1996; 1998, P.A. 98-61, § 1; 2023, P.A. 23-17, § 9, eff. June 7, 2023.)
 
 
Title 17a. Social and Human Services and Resources. Chapter 319. Department of Children and Families. Part I. General Provisions.
 
§ 17a-22ee. Animal-assisted therapy. Volunteer canine crisis response team. Crisis response program

(a) For purposes of this section:
 
(1) “Animal-assisted activity” means any activity that involves a team consisting of a registered handler and therapy animal interacting with individuals in the state;
 
(2) “Animal-assisted therapy” means goal-directed intervention in which a team consisting of a therapist and a therapy animal, or a therapist, registered handler and a therapy animal, is used as an integral part of the therapy process to aid individuals who have (A) experienced mental, physical or emotional trauma, (B) witnessed, or have been a victim of, an act of violence, or (C) behavioral health care needs;
 
(3) “Animal-assisted activity community” means the local or regional entities capable of providing animal-assisted therapy or animal-assisted activities to individuals within the state;
 
(4) “Animal-assisted activity organization” means any entity involved in training, evaluating or registering members of the animal-assisted activity community;
 
(5) “Animal-assisted critical incident response team” means a team of registered handlers and therapy animals that (A) has been identified by the Department of Children and Families, and (B) is capable of providing animal-assisted activities to individuals during and after traumatic events;
 
(6) “Registered handler” means an individual who has been screened, trained and registered by a national animal therapy organization to engage in animal-assisted activities or animal-assisted therapy, or both;
 
(7) “Therapist” means any (A) physician licensed pursuant to chapter 3701 who specializes in psychiatry, (B) psychologist or professional counselor licensed pursuant to chapter 383,2 (C) marital and family therapist licensed pursuant to chapter 383a,3 or (D) clinical social worker or master social worker licensed pursuant to chapter 383b;4 and
 
(8) “Therapy animal” means any animal trained to provide comfort to individuals who have (A) experienced mental, physical or emotional trauma, (B) witnessed, or have been a victim of, an act of violence, or (C) behavioral health care needs.
 
(b) Not later than January 1, 2016, the Commissioner of Children and Families shall, within available appropriations, develop and implement training for certain employees of the Department of Children and Families and mental health care providers on (1) the healing value of the human-animal bond for children, (2) the value of therapy animals in dealing with traumatic situations, and (3) the benefits of animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy.
 
(c) Not later than January 1, 2016, the Commissioner of Children and Families, in consultation with the Commissioner of Agriculture and within available appropriations, shall develop a protocol to identify and mobilize animal-assisted critical incident response teams throughout the state. Such teams shall operate on a volunteer basis and shall be available to provide animal-assisted activities to individuals during and after traumatic events within twenty-four hours of receiving notice to do so.
 
(d) Not later than July 1, 2016, the Commissioner of Children and Families, in consultation with the animal-assisted activity community, shall, within available appropriations, develop a protocol to (1) identify and credential animal-assisted activity organizations and providers of animal-assisted therapy in the state, and (2) utilize animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy to provide aid to children and youths living with trauma and loss.
 
Credits
(2013, P.A. 13-114, § 1; 2015, P.A. 15-208, § 1, eff. July 6, 2015.)
Footnotes
1 C.G.S.A. § 20-8a et seq.
2 C.G.S.A. § 20-186 et seq.
3 C.G.S.A. § 20-195a et seq.
4 C.G.S.A. § 20-195m et seq.
 
 
Title 14. Motor Vehicles. Use of the Highway by Vehicles. Gasoline. Chapter 249. Traffic Control and Highway Safety. Part I. Traffic Control
 
§ 14-300. Crosswalks. Pedestrian-control signals. Regulation of pedestrians and motor vehicles at crosswalks. Pedestrians who are blind or have guide dogs
 
(a) The traffic authority may designate, by appropriate official traffic control devices, as defined in section 14-297, or markers, or by lines upon the surface of the highway, such crosswalks and intersections as, in its opinion, constitute a danger to pedestrians crossing the highway including, but not limited to, specially marked crosswalks in the vicinity of schools, which crosswalks shall have distinctive markings, in accordance with the regulations of the Office of the State Traffic Administration, to denote use of such crosswalks by school children; and may maintain suitable signs located at intervals along highways, particularly where there are no sidewalks, directing pedestrians to walk facing vehicular traffic.
 
(b) At any intersection where special pedestrian-control signals bearing the words “Walk” or “Don't Walk” or the image of a walking person symbolizing “Walk” or an upraised hand symbolizing “Don't Walk” are placed, pedestrians may cross the highway only as indicated by the signal. At any intersection where traffic is controlled by other traffic control signals or by police officers, pedestrians shall not cross the highway against a red or “Stop” signal and shall not cross at any place not a marked or unmarked crosswalk. A pedestrian started or starting across the highway or on any such crosswalk shall have the right-of-way over all vehicles, including those making turns, until such pedestrian has reached the opposite curb or safety zone.
 
(c) Except as provided in subsection (c) of section 14-300c, at any crosswalk marked as provided in subsection (a) of this section or any unmarked crosswalk, provided such crosswalks are not controlled by police officers or traffic control signals, each operator of a vehicle shall grant the right-of-way, and slow or stop such vehicle if necessary to so grant the right-of-way, to any pedestrian crossing the roadway within such crosswalk. For the purposes of this subsection, a pedestrian is “crossing the roadway within such crosswalk” when the pedestrian (1) is within any portion of the crosswalk, (2) steps to the curb at the entrance to the crosswalk and indicates his or her intent to cross the roadway by raising his or her hand and arm toward oncoming traffic, or (3) indicates his or her intent to cross the roadway by moving any part of his or her body or an extension thereof, including, but not limited to, a wheelchair, cane, walking stick, crutch, bicycle, electric bicycle, stroller, carriage, cart or leashed or harnessed dog, into the crosswalk at the entrance to the crosswalk. No operator of a vehicle approaching from the rear shall overtake and pass any vehicle, the operator of which has stopped at any crosswalk marked as provided in subsection (a) of this section or any unmarked crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway. The operator of any vehicle crossing a sidewalk shall yield the right-of-way to each pedestrian and all other traffic upon such sidewalk.
 
(d) The operator of a motor vehicle who approaches or comes into the immediate vicinity of a pedestrian who is blind, as defined in subsection (a) of section 1-1f, carrying a white cane or a white cane tipped with red, or a pedestrian being guided by a guide dog, shall reduce speed or stop, if necessary, to yield the right-of-way to such pedestrian. No person, except one who is blind, shall carry or use on any street or highway, or in any other public place, a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white, tipped with red.
 
(e) Any crosswalk designated by a traffic authority on or after October 1, 2010, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be required by such authority to have markings, signage, or any control signals deemed necessary by such authority to provide sufficient time for the safe crossing of pedestrians.
 
(f) The operator of any motor vehicle who violates this section shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars.
 
(g) In any civil action arising under subsection (c) or (d) of this section or sections 14-300b to 14-300d, inclusive, the doctrine of negligence per se shall not apply.
 
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 2519; 1955, Supp. § 1403d; 1967, P.A. 639; 1978, P.A. 78-309, § 2; 1994, P.A. 94-189, § 33, eff. July 1, 1994; 2000, P.A. 00-196, § 13; 2007, P.A. 07-167, § 26, eff. July 1, 2007; 2008, P.A. 08-150, § 32; 2010, P.A. 10-159, § 9; 2012, P.A. 12-132, § 30, eff. July 1, 2012; 2016, P.A. 16-54, § 1; 2021, P.A. 21-28, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2021; 2023, P.A. 23-135, § 2, eff. July 1, 2023.)


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