Chapter 39. Mentally Ill, Incapacitated and Dependent Persons; Social Welfare. Article 11. Physically Disabled Persons.
39-1101 . Rights of persons with disabilities
39-1102 . Same; use of guide dog by legally blind person
39-1103 . Same; unlawful to interfere with rights
39-1104 . Same; safety day; proclamation; contents
39-1105 . Same; employment
39-1106 . Same; name and citation of act
39-1107 . Same; use of hearing assistance dog by person with hearing impairment
39-1108 . Same; use of service dog by person with disability
39-1109 . Use of assistance dog while training
39-1110 . Use of professional therapy dog while training
39-1111 . Procedure for verification of person's right to be accompanied by assistance dog or professional therapy dog
39-1112 . Unlawful misrepresentations
39-1113 . Assistance dogs and professional therapy dogs; definitions
Chapter 21. Crimes and Punishments. Article 64. Crimes Against the Public Morals.
21-6416 . Harming or killing certain dogs
Chapter 8. Automobiles and Other Vehicles. Article 15. Uniform Act Regulating Traffic; Rules of the Road. Pedestrians' Rights and Duties
8-1542 . Blind pedestrian's right-of-way
Chapter 39. Mentally Ill, Incapacitated and Dependent Persons; Social Welfare. Article 11. Physically Disabled Persons.
39-1101. Rights of persons with disabilities.
It is hereby declared to be the policy of this state to encourage and enable the blind, the visually disabled and persons who are otherwise disabled to participate fully in the social and economic life of the state and to engage in remunerative employment. Such persons shall have the same right as the able-bodied to the full and free use of the streets, highways, sidewalks, walkways, public buildings, public facilities and other public places; and such persons are entitled to full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges of: (a) All common carriers, airplanes, motor vehicles, railroad trains, motor buses, street cars, boats or any other public conveyances or modes of transportation; (b) hotels, lodging places and places of public accommodation, amusement or resort, including food service establishments and establishments for sale of food; and (c) other places to which the general public is invited, subject only to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable alike to all persons.
Laws 1969, ch. 54, § 1; Laws 1984, ch. 159, § 1; Laws 2003, ch. 64, § 2.
39-1102. Same; use of guide dog by legally blind person
Every legally blind person shall have the right to be accompanied by a guide dog, specially selected, trained and tested for the purpose, in or upon any of the places listed in K.S.A. 39-1101, and amendments thereto, in the acquisition and use of rental, residential housing and in the purchase and use of residential housing without being required to pay an extra charge for the guide dog, except that such person shall be liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by such dog.
Laws 1969, ch. 54, § 2; Laws 1987, ch. 155, § 1; Laws 2003, ch. 64, § 3.
39-1103. Same; unlawful to interfere with rights
Any person, firm, corporation, or the agent of any person, firm or corporation, who denies or interferes with the exercise of the rights recognized in K.S.A. 39-1101, 39-1102, 39-1107, 39-1108 or 39-1109, and amendments thereto, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Laws 1969, ch. 54, § 3; Laws 1989, ch. 127, § 2; Laws 1992, ch. 205, § 13; Laws 2003, ch. 64, § 4.
39-1104. Same; safety day; proclamation; contents
Each year, the governor shall take suitable public notice of October 15 as white cane safety day. He shall issue a proclamation in which:
(a) He comments upon the significance of the white cane;
(b) he calls upon the citizens of the state to observe the provisions of the white cane law and to take precautions necessary to the safety of the disabled;
(c) he reminds the citizens of the state of the policies with respect to the disabled herein declared, and urges the citizens to cooperate in giving effect to them;
(d) he emphasizes the need of the citizens to be aware of the presence of disabled persons in the community and to keep safe and functional for the disabled the streets, highways, sidewalks, walkways, public buildings, public facilities, other public places, places of public accommodation, amusement and resort and other places to which the public is invited, and to offer assistance to disabled persons upon appropriate occasions.
Laws 1969, ch. 54, § 5.
It is the policy of this state that the blind, the visually handicapped and persons who are otherwise physically disabled shall be employed in the service of the state, political subdivisions of the state, the public schools and in all other employment supported in whole or in part by public funds, on the same terms and conditions as the able-bodied, unless it is shown that the particular disability prevents the performance of the work involved.
Laws 1969, ch. 54, § 6.
39-1106. Same; name and citation of act
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Kansas white cane law.
Laws 1969, ch. 54, § 7.
39-1107. Same; use of hearing assistance dog by person with hearing impairment
Every person who is deaf or hard of hearing has the right to be accompanied by a hearing assistance dog, specially selected, trained and tested for the purpose of hearing assistance, in or upon any of the places listed in K.S.A. 39-1101, and amendments thereto, in the acquisition and use of rental, residential housing and in the purchase and use of residential housing without being required to pay an extra charge for the hearing assistance dog. The person who is deaf or hard of hearing shall be liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by such dog.
Credits
Laws 1982, ch. 184, § 1; Laws 2003, ch. 64, § 5; Laws 2022, ch. 75, § 6, eff. April 28, 2022.
39-1108. Same; use of service dog by person with disability
Every person with a disability shall have the right to be accompanied by a service dog, specially selected, trained and tested for the purpose which shall include, but not be limited to, pulling a wheelchair, opening doors and picking up objects, in or upon any of the places listed in K.S.A. 39-1101, and amendments thereto, in the acquisition and use of rental, residential housing and in the purchase and use of residential housing without being required to pay an extra charge for the service dog. Such person shall be liable for any damage done to the premises by such dog.
Laws 1989, ch. 127, § 1; Laws 1992, ch. 205, § 14; Laws 2003, ch. 64, § 6.
39-1109. Use of assistance dog while training
Any professional trainer, from a recognized training center, of an assistance dog, while engaged in the training of such dog, shall have the right to be accompanied by such dog in or upon any of the places listed in K.S.A. 39- 1101, and amendments thereto, without being required to pay an extra charge for such dog. Such trainer shall be liable for any damage done to the premises of facilities by such dog.
Laws 1992, ch. 205, § 12; Laws 2003, ch. 64, § 7.
39-1110. Use of professional therapy dog while training
Any qualified handler of a professional therapy dog when accompanied by such dog and when using any conveyance of public transportation available to all members of the general public, and when renting and using accommodations in motels, hotels and other temporary lodging places shall have the right to be accompanied by such dog in such places. Any owner or employee of a business or retail establishment to which the public is invited, including establishments which serve or sell food, shall admit a professional therapy dog, accompanied by its qualified handler, to the business. The qualified handler shall be liable for any damage done by the dog to any such conveyance or facility.
Laws 2003, ch. 64, § 8.
39-1111. Procedure for verification of person's right to be accompanied by assistance dog or professional therapy dog
(a) If a question arises as to whether an assistance dog qualifies under this act to accompany a person with a disability in or upon any place set forth in K.S.A. 39-1101, and amendments thereto, the person with a disability may produce for the employee or person responsible for such place an identification card or letter conforming to the requirements of this subsection. Upon production of such identification card or letter, the assistance dog shall be allowed to accompany the person with a disability in or upon such place.
(1) If the assistance dog has been trained by a training facility, school or trainer, the identification card or letter shall be provided by the training facility, school or trainer that trained the dog and shall contain the following information: (A) The legal name of the dog's user; (B) the name, address and telephone number of the facility, school or trainer who trained the dog; (C) whether the dog is designated as a guide, hearing assistance or service dog; and (D) a picture or digital photographic likeness of the dog user and the dog. If a card is used, the picture or digital photographic likeness shall be on the card. If a letter is used, the picture or digital photographic likeness shall either be printed as a part of the letter or be affixed to the letter.
(2) If the assistance dog has been trained by the person using the dog, the identification card or letter shall contain the following information: (A) The legal name of the dog's user; (B) the dog user's address; (C) a statement that the dog has been trained to mitigate the dog user's disability; and (D) a picture or digital photographic likeness of the dog user and the dog. If a card is used, the picture or digital photographic likeness shall be on the card. If a letter is used, the picture or digital photographic likeness shall either be printed as a part of the letter or be affixed to the letter.
(b) If a question arises as to whether a dog handler is qualified, or whether the dog accompanying the handler is qualified as a professional therapy dog, to enter in or upon the places set forth in K.S.A. 39-1110, and amendments thereto, an employee or person responsible for such places may request, and the qualified handler shall produce, an identification card or letter, provided by the training facility, school or trainer who trained the dog. Such card or letter shall contain the following information: (1) The legal name of the qualified dog handler; (2) the name, address and telephone number of the facility, school or trainer who trained the dog; (3) information documenting that the dog is trained to provide therapeutic supports; and (4) a picture or digital photographic likeness of the qualified handler and the dog. If a card is used, the picture or digital photographic likeness shall be on the card. If a letter is used, the picture or digital photographic likeness shall either be printed as a part of the letter or be affixed to the letter.
(c) If a question arises as to whether an individual accompanied by a dog is a professional trainer, from a recognized training center, of an assistance dog, in order to enter in or upon a place set forth in K.S.A. 39-1101, and amendments thereto, an employee or person responsible for such place may request, and the trainer shall produce, an identification card provided by the recognized training center containing the following information: (1) The legal name of the trainer; (2) the name of the training center; (3) the address and telephone number of the training center; (4) the types of functions for which dogs are trained by the center; and (5) a picture or digital photographic likeness of the trainer.
(d) An identification card or letter produced for inspection pursuant to this section shall be promptly returned to the person with a disability, the qualified handler or the professional trainer after inspection.
Laws 2003, ch. 64, § 9.
39-1112. Unlawful misrepresentations
It is a class A nonperson misdemeanor for any person to:
(a) Represent that such person has the right to be accompanied by an assistance dog in or upon any place listed in K.S.A. 39-1101, and amendments thereto, or that such person has a right to be accompanied by a professional therapy dog in or upon any place listed in K.S.A. 39-1110, and amendments thereto, unless such person has the right to be accompanied in or upon such place by such dog pursuant to this act; or
(b) represent that such person has a disability for the purpose of acquiring an assistance dog unless such person has such disability.
Laws 2003, ch. 64, § 10.
39-1113. Assistance dogs and professional therapy dogs; definitions
As used in this act and in K.S.A. 39-1101 through 39-1109, and amendments thereto:
(a) "Assistance dog" means any guide dog, hearing assistance dog or service dog.
(b) "Guide dog" means a dog which has been specially selected, trained and tested for the purpose of guiding a person who is legally blind.
(c) "Hearing assistance dog" means a dog which is specially selected, trained and tested to alert or warn individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to specific sounds.
(d) "Professional therapy dog" means a dog which is selected, trained and tested to provide specific physical or therapeutic functions, under the direction and control of a qualified handler who works with the dog as a team, and as a part of the handler's occupation or profession. Such dogs, with their handlers, perform such functions in institutional settings, community based group settings, or when providing services to specific persons who have disabilities.
"Professional therapy dog" does not include dogs, certified or not, which are used by volunteers for pet visitation therapy.
(e) "Service dog" means a dog which has been specially selected, trained and tested to perform a variety of tasks for persons with disabilities. These tasks include, but are not limited to: Pulling wheelchairs, lending balance support, picking up dropped objects or providing assistance in, or to avoid, a medical crisis, or to otherwise mitigate the effects of a disability.
(f) The presence of a dog for comfort, protection or personal defense does not qualify a dog as being trained to mitigate an individual's disability and therefor does not qualify the dog as an assistance dog covered under the provisions of this act.
Laws 2003, ch. 64, § 1.
Chapter 21. Crimes and Punishments. Article 64. Crimes Against the Public Morals.
21-6416. Harming or killing certain dogs
(a) Inflicting harm, disability or death to a police dog, arson dog, assistance dog, game warden dog or search and rescue dog is knowingly, and without lawful cause or justification poisoning, inflicting great bodily harm, permanent disability or death, upon a police dog, arson dog, assistance dog, game warden dog or search and rescue dog.
(b) Inflicting harm, disability or death to a police dog, arson dog, assistance dog, game warden dog or search and rescue dog is a nonperson felony. Upon conviction of this subsection, a person shall be sentenced to not less than 30 days or more than one year's imprisonment and be fined not less than $500 nor more than $5,000. The person convicted shall not be eligible for release on probation, suspension or reduction of sentence or parole until the person has served the minimum mandatory sentence as provided herein. During the mandatory 30 days imprisonment, such offender shall have a psychological evaluation prepared for the court to assist the court in determining conditions of probation. Such conditions shall include, but not be limited to, the completion of an anger management program.
(c) As used in this section:
(1) “Arson dog” means any dog that is owned, or the service of which is employed, by the state fire marshal or a fire department for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of liquid accelerants in the investigation of fires;
(2) “assistance dog” means the same as defined in K.S.A. 39-1113, and amendments thereto;
(3) “fire department” means a public fire department under the control of the governing body of a city, township, county, fire district or benefit district or a private fire department operated by a nonprofit corporation providing fire protection services for a city, township, county, fire district or benefit district under contract with the governing body of the city, township, county or district;
(4) “game warden dog” means any dog that is owned, or the service of which is employed, by the Kansas department of wildlife and parks for the purpose of aiding in detection of criminal activity, enforcement of laws, apprehension of offenders or location of persons or wildlife;
(5) “police dog” means any dog that is owned, or the service of which is employed, by a law enforcement agency for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of criminal activity, enforcement of laws or apprehension of offenders; and
(6) “search and rescue dog” means any dog that is owned or the service of which is employed, by a law enforcement or emergency response agency for the purpose of aiding in the location of persons missing in disasters or other times of need.
Credits
Laws 2010, ch. 136, § 227, eff. July 1, 2011; Laws 2012, ch. 47, § 19, eff. July 1, 2012; Laws 2023, ch. 7, § 21, eff. July 1, 2023.
Chapter 8. Automobiles and Other Vehicles. Article 15. Uniform Act Regulating Traffic; Rules of the Road. Pedestrians' Rights and Duties
8-1542. Blind pedestrian's right-of-way
The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any blind pedestrian carrying a clearly visible white cane or accompanied by a guide dog.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1542.