State Rep. Matt Hall (R-Marshall) today testified before the House Regulatory Reform Committee in support of his bipartisan plan regulating how emotional support animals are prescribed, while exploring stiffer penalties for those who intentionally falsify the need for them.

“There is no clarity within the rules regarding qualifications for an emotional support animal, and because of that, the process is much like the Wild West,” Hall said. “This has led to much abuse within the process from those who are only looking to have an emotional support animal for personal gain. It couldn’t be more important we clarify the process and install protections to ensure those who actually have a legitimate need for an emotional support animal are receiving them.”

Hall’s plan would create the Misrepresentation of Emotional Support Animals Act and clarify the eligibility process for emotional support animals, while also installing essential protections for property owners, renters and people in actual need of such companions.

Under the legislation, a person seeking an emotional support animal would need valid documentation from a health care provider to prove their prescription is credible. A health care provider would have to certify he or she had treated the person with a disability for at least six months, and upon request provide a notarized letter or completed questionnaire certifying an emotional support animal is necessary.

Hall said falsifying the need for an emotional support animal has rapidly increased, noting hundreds of non-accredited websites sell letters by licensed health care providers to “register” patients for emotional support animals.

“Every day, people are going online and getting fake certificates from unknown health care providers to obtain an emotional support animal,” Hall said. “This common-sense legislation requires authentic patient-health care provider relationships, as well as valid diagnoses, to ensure emotional support animals are only going to those who have a legitimate need for an emotional support animal. Only health care providers that have held licenses to practice in Michigan for the past several months would be allowed to issue prescriptions for emotional support animals.”

Hall’s plan would also establish penalties for those who knowingly falsify the need for emotional support animals. Under the legislation, a person or health care provider that intentionally violate the act is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by one or more of the following:

• Imprisonment for not more than 90 days;
• A fine of not more than $500.00;
• Community service for not more than 30 days.

House Bill 4910, and its companion bill, House Bill 4911, sponsored by state Rep. Sara Cambensy (D-Marquette), remain in the House Regulatory Reform Committee for further consideration.

PHOTO INFORMATION: State Rep. Matt Hall testifies before the House Regulatory Reform Committee in support of his plan regulating how emotional support animals are prescribed on Tuesday.