Minnesota State Laws

Minnesota Statute or Law:

Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 256C, Sections 256C.01 through 256C.06, amended 1990

Minnesota statutes guarantee a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a dog guide in all public accommodations and on all public conveyances. A dog guide user also is guaranteed the right to equal accommodation in housing. 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 guide causes to the premises. A landlord is not required to modify his property nor maintain a higher standard of care than that provided other persons. Minnesota state policy also ensures equal employment opportunity to blind persons in its state service, or the service of its political subdivisions, in public schools, and in all employment supported in whole or part by public funds, except when the particular disability prevents performance of the work involved.

Public accommodations include hotels, public buildings, restaurants, places of resort and amusement, stores, and all other places to which the public is invited. (•256C.02)

Public conveyances include airplanes, boats, taxis, trains, buses, and all other modes of transportation offered for public use. (•256C.02)

Housing includes any real property offered for rent, lease, or compensation. (•256C.025)

The service dog must be capable of being properly identified as from a recognized school for Seeing Eye dogs or dog guides.

Violation: Any person or agent thereof who interferes with the above enumerated rights is guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable therefor under Minnesota law. (•256C.05)

Minnesota State Law Resources Link:
Official Website Of The Minnesota Legislature
Minnesota State Dog Laws, resources and advocacy of dog right
Minnesota State laws, policies and regulations for animals, animal owners and animal enterprises Protection and Public awareness
Join Minnesota State email group for your dog law and Legislation
Minnesota State Dog protection legislation
Minnesota State Ordinances For Unaltered Animal requirements, Spaying and Neutering of Dogs and Cats