The California Apartment Association has updated its webinar on service and support animals to help rental property owners comply with a new law.

AB 468 took effect Jan. 1, 2022, to address concerns about fraud or misrepresentation by providers of emotional support animals, tags, vests, etc. The law also regulates licensed healthcare practitioners who provide documentation for emotional support animals. The law contains three basic provisions

  1. A person or business that sells or provides an emotional support dog must provide a notice specifying that the dog does not have the special training required to be a guide, signal or service dog.

  2. A seller or provider of a certificate, tag, vest, leash or harness for an emotional support dog must provide notice to the buyer that the material does not entitle an emotional support dog to the rights and privileges afforded to a guide, signal or service dog.

  3. A licensed healthcare practitioner is prohibited from providing documentation about an individual’s need for an emotional support animal without meeting specified requirements. Among other things, the provider must:

    • Establish a client-provider relationship with the individual for at least 30 days prior to providing the documentation requested about the individual’s need for an emotional support dog and

    • Complete an in-person clinical evaluation of the individual regarding the need for an emotional support dog.

To learn more about AB 468, including how it affects a tenant’s right to a reasonable accommodation and who can provide verification of a tenant’s disability and need for an emotional support animal, register for CAA’s updated webinar, which will broadcast at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 15.