September 24, 2012_AFH "Dear Provider" Letters

September 24, 2012
                                                                                                      
ADSA: AFH #2012-016  
Reasonable accommodation and Non-discrimination for service animals

Dear Adult Family Home Provider:

We recently heard of a home that had a "no pets" policy that refused to admit a person with a service animal.  This letter will tell you about state and federal laws and rules for reasonable accommodations and non-discrimination of residents who use a service animal. 

  • A service animal is not a pet.
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974 allow a disabled person to request a reasonable accommodation for a service animal. 
  • RCW 49.60.222 requires a home to reasonably accommodate a person with a disability who uses a trained guide dog or service animal.
  • RCW 49.60.218 does not allow a home to charge extra for a person with a service animal.

Please see these internet links to federal and state laws and rules:

      http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=49.60.222

The enclosed information sheet about reasonable accommodations and non-discrimination is also available on the internet at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/residential-care-services/information-adult-family-home-providers.

Please contact your local RCS Field Manager if you have any questions. 

Sincerely,

Joyce Pashley Stockwell, Director
Residential Care Services

Enclosure:  Information Sheet