Statute in Full:
West's Revised Code of Washington Annotated Currentness. Title 9. Crimes and Punishments. Chapter 9.91. Miscellaneous Crimes.
9.91.170. Interfering with dog guide or service animal
West's Revised Code of Washington Annotated Currentness. Title 49. Labor Regulations. Chapter 49.60. Discrimination--Human Rights Commission.
49.60.010. Purpose of chapter
49.60.020. Construction of chapter--Election of other remedies
49.60.030. Freedom from discrimination--Declaration of civil rights
49.60.040. Definitions
West's Revised Code of Washington Annotated Currentness. Title 49. Labor Regulations. Chapter 49.60. Discrimination--Human Rights Commission.
49.60.370. Liability for killing or injuring dog guide or service animal-- Penalty in addition to other remedies or penalties--Recovery of attorneys' fees and costs--No duty to investigate
49.60.380. License waiver for dog guide and service animals
West's Revised Code of Washington Annotated Currentness. Title 70. Public Health and Safety. Chapter 70.84. Blind, Handicapped, and Disabled Persons--"White Cane Law"
70.84.010. Declaration--Policy
70.84.020. "Dog guide" defined
70.84.021. "Service animal" defined
70.84.040. Precautions for drivers of motor vehicles approaching pedestrian who is using a white cane, dog guide, or service animal
70.84.050. Handicapped pedestrians not carrying white cane or using dog guide--Rights and privileges
70.84.060. Unauthorized use of white cane, dog guide, or service animal
70.84.070. Penalty for violations
70.84.080. Employment of blind or other handicapped persons in public service
70.84.900. Short title
West's Revised Code of Washington Annotated Currentness. Title 9. Crimes and Punishments. Chapter 9.91. Miscellaneous Crimes.
9.91.170. Interfering with dog guide or service animal
(1)(a) Any person who has received notice that his or her behavior is interfering with the use of a dog guide or service animal who continues with reckless disregard to interfere with the use of a dog guide or service animal by obstructing, intimidating, or otherwise jeopardizing the safety of the dog guide or service animal user or his or her dog guide or service animal is guilty of a misdemeanor, except as provided in (b) of this subsection.
(b) A second or subsequent violation of this subsection is a gross misdemeanor.
(2)(a) Any person who, with reckless disregard, allows his or her dog to interfere with the use of a dog guide or service animal by obstructing, intimidating, or otherwise jeopardizing the safety of the dog guide or service animal user or his or her dog guide or service animal is guilty of a misdemeanor, except as provided in (b) of this subsection.
(b) A second or subsequent violation of this subsection is a gross misdemeanor.
(3) Any person who, with reckless disregard, injures, disables, or causes the death of a dog guide or service animal is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
(4) Any person who, with reckless disregard, allows his or her dog to injure, disable, or cause the death of a dog guide or service animal is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
(5) Any person who intentionally injures, disables, or causes the death of a dog guide or service animal is guilty of a class C felony punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW.
(6) Any person who wrongfully obtains or exerts unauthorized control over a dog guide or service animal with the intent to deprive the dog guide or service animal user of his or her dog guide or service animal is guilty of theft in the first degree, RCW 9A.56.030.
(7)(a) In any case in which the defendant is convicted of a violation of this section, he or she shall also be ordered to make full restitution for all damages, including incidental and consequential expenses incurred by the dog guide or service animal user and the dog guide or service animal which arise out of or are related to the criminal offense.
(b) Restitution for a conviction under this section shall include, but is not limited to:
(i) The value of the replacement of an incapacitated or deceased dog guide or service animal, the training of a replacement dog guide or service animal, or retraining of the affected dog guide or service animal and all related veterinary and care expenses; and
(ii) Medical expenses of the dog guide or service animal user, training of the dog guide or service animal user, and compensation for wages or earned income lost by the dog guide or service animal user.
(8) Nothing in this section shall affect any civil remedies available for violation of this section.
(9) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Dog guide" means a dog that is trained for the purpose of guiding blind persons or a dog trained for the purpose of assisting hearing impaired persons.
(b) "Service animal" means an animal that is trained for the purposes of assisting or accommodating a disabled person's sensory, mental, or physical disability.
(c) "Notice" means a verbal or otherwise communicated warning prescribing the behavior of another person and a request that the person stop their behavior.
(d) "Value" means the value to the dog guide or service animal user and does not refer to cost or fair market value.
CREDIT(S)
[2003 c 53 § 52, eff. July 1, 2004; 2001 c 112 § 2.]
West's Revised Code of Washington Annotated Currentness. Title 49. Labor Regulations. Chapter 49.60. Discrimination--Human Rights Commission.
49.60.010. Purpose of chapter
This chapter shall be known as the “law against discrimination.” It is an exercise of the police power of the state for the protection of the public welfare, health, and peace of the people of this state, and in fulfillment of the provisions of the Constitution of this state concerning civil rights. The legislature hereby finds and declares that practices of discrimination against any of its inhabitants because of race, creed, color, national origin, families with children, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability are a matter of state concern, that such discrimination threatens not only the rights and proper privileges of its inhabitants but menaces the institutions and foundation of a free democratic state. A state agency is herein created with powers with respect to elimination and prevention of discrimination in employment, in credit and insurance transactions, in places of public resort, accommodation, or amusement, and in real property transactions because of race, creed, color, national origin, families with children, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability; and the commission established hereunder is hereby given general jurisdiction and power for such purposes.
CREDIT(S)
[2007 c 187 § 1, eff. July 22, 2007; 2006 c 4 § 1, eff. June 8, 2006; 1997 c 271 § 1; 1995 c 259 § 1; 1993 c 510 § 1; 1985 c 185 § 1; 1973 1st ex.s. c 214 § 1; 1973 c 141 § 1; 1969 ex.s. c 167 § 1; 1957 c 37 § 1; 1949 c 183 § 1; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 7614-20.]
49.60.020. Construction of chapter--Election of other remedies
The provisions of this chapter shall be construed liberally for the accomplishment of the purposes thereof. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be deemed to repeal any of the provisions of any other law of this state relating to discrimination because of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, other than a law which purports to require or permit doing any act which is an unfair practice under this chapter. Nor shall anything herein contained be construed to deny the right to any person to institute any action or pursue any civil or criminal remedy based upon an alleged violation of his or her civil rights. This chapter shall not be construed to endorse any specific belief, practice, behavior, or orientation. Inclusion of sexual orientation in this chapter shall not be construed to modify or supersede state law relating to marriage.
CREDIT(S)
[2007 c 187 § 2, eff. July 22, 2007; 2006 c 4 § 2, eff. June 8, 2006; 1993 c 510 § 2; 1973 1st ex.s. c 214 § 2; 1973 c 141 § 2; 1957 c 37 § 2; 1949 c 183 § 12; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 7614-30.]
49.60.030. Freedom from discrimination--Declaration of civil rights
(1) The right to be free from discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability is recognized as and declared to be a civil right. This right shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) The right to obtain and hold employment without discrimination;
(b) The right to the full enjoyment of any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, or privileges of any place of public resort, accommodation, assemblage, or amusement;
(c) The right to engage in real estate transactions without discrimination, including discrimination against families with children;
(d) The right to engage in credit transactions without discrimination;
(e) The right to engage in insurance transactions or transactions with health maintenance organizations without discrimination: PROVIDED, That a practice which is not unlawful under RCW 48.30.300, 48.44.220, or 48.46.370 does not constitute an unfair practice for the purposes of this subparagraph; and
(f) The right to engage in commerce free from any discriminatory boycotts or blacklists. Discriminatory boycotts or blacklists for purposes of this section shall be defined as the formation or execution of any express or implied agreement, understanding, policy or contractual arrangement for economic benefit between any persons which is not specifically authorized by the laws of the United States and which is required or imposed, either directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, by a foreign government or foreign person in order to restrict, condition, prohibit, or interfere with or in order to exclude any person or persons from any business relationship on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or national origin or lawful business relationship: PROVIDED HOWEVER, That nothing herein contained shall prohibit the use of boycotts as authorized by law pertaining to labor disputes and unfair labor practices.
(2) Any person deeming himself or herself injured by any act in violation of this chapter shall have a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin further violations, or to recover the actual damages sustained by the person, or both, together with the cost of suit including reasonable attorneys' fees or any other appropriate remedy authorized by this chapter or the United States Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, or the Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 3601 et seq.).
(3) Except for any unfair practice committed by an employer against an employee or a prospective employee, or any unfair practice in a real estate transaction which is the basis for relief specified in the amendments to RCW 49.60.225 contained in chapter 69, Laws of 1993, any unfair practice prohibited by this chapter which is committed in the course of trade or commerce as defined in the Consumer Protection Act, chapter 19.86 RCW, is, for the purpose of applying that chapter, a matter affecting the public interest, is not reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business, and is an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce.
CREDIT(S)
[2007 c 187 § 3, eff. July 22, 2007; 2006 c 4 § 3, eff. June 8, 2006; 1997 c 271 § 2; 1995 c 135 § 3. Prior: 1993 c 510 § 3; 1993 c 69 § 1; 1984 c 32 § 2; 1979 c 127 § 2; 1977 ex.s. c 192 § 1; 1974 ex.s. c 32 § 1; 1973 1st ex.s. c 214 § 3; 1973 c 141 § 3; 1969 ex.s. c 167 § 2; 1957 c 37 § 3; 1949 c 183 § 2; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 7614-21.]
49.60.040. Definitions (as amended by 2007 c 187)
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) “Person” includes one or more individuals, partnerships, associations, organizations, corporations, cooperatives, legal representatives, trustees and receivers, or any group of persons; it includes any owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, agent, or employee, whether one or more natural persons; and further includes any political or civil subdivisions of the state and any agency or instrumentality of the state or of any political or civil subdivision thereof.
(2) “Commission” means the Washington state human rights commission.
(3) “Employer” includes any person acting in the interest of an employer, directly or indirectly, who employs eight or more persons, and does not include any religious or sectarian organization not organized for private profit.
(4) “Employee” does not include any individual employed by his or her parents, spouse, or child, or in the domestic service of any person.
(5) “Labor organization” includes any organization which exists for the purpose, in whole or in part, of dealing with employers concerning grievances or terms or conditions of employment, or for other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment.
(6) “Employment agency” includes any person undertaking with or without compensation to recruit, procure, refer, or place employees for an employer.
(7) “Marital status” means the legal status of being married, single, separated, divorced, or widowed.
(8) “National origin” includes “ancestry”.
(9) “Full enjoyment of” includes the right to purchase any service, commodity, or article of personal property offered or sold on, or by, any establishment to the public, and the admission of any person to accommodations, advantages, facilities, or privileges of any place of public resort, accommodation, assemblage, or amusement, without acts directly or indirectly causing persons of any particular race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or with any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, to be treated as not welcome, accepted, desired, or solicited.
(10) “Any place of public resort, accommodation, assemblage, or amusement” includes, but is not limited to, any place, licensed or unlicensed, kept for gain, hire, or reward, or where charges are made for admission, service, occupancy, or use of any property or facilities, whether conducted for the entertainment, housing, or lodging of transient guests, or for the benefit, use, or accommodation of those seeking health, recreation, or rest, or for the burial or other disposition of human remains, or for the sale of goods, merchandise, services, or personal property, or for the rendering of personal services, or for public conveyance or transportation on land, water, or in the air, including the stations and terminals thereof and the garaging of vehicles, or where food or beverages of any kind are sold for consumption on the premises, or where public amusement, entertainment, sports, or recreation of any kind is offered with or without charge, or where medical service or care is made available, or where the public gathers, congregates, or assembles for amusement, recreation, or public purposes, or public halls, public elevators, and public washrooms of buildings and structures occupied by two or more tenants, or by the owner and one or more tenants, or any public library or educational institution, or schools of special instruction, or nursery schools, or day care centers or children's camps: PROVIDED, That nothing contained in this definition shall be construed to include or apply to any institute, bona fide club, or place of accommodation, which is by its nature distinctly private, including fraternal organizations, though where public use is permitted that use shall be covered by this chapter; nor shall anything contained in this definition apply to any educational facility, columbarium, crematory, mausoleum, or cemetery operated or maintained by a bona fide religious or sectarian institution.
(11) “Real property” includes buildings, structures, dwellings, real estate, lands, tenements, leaseholds, interests in real estate cooperatives, condominiums, and hereditaments, corporeal and incorporeal, or any interest therein.
(12) “Real estate transaction” includes the sale, appraisal, brokering, exchange, purchase, rental, or lease of real property, transacting or applying for a real estate loan, or the provision of brokerage services.
(13) “Dwelling” means any building, structure, or portion thereof that is occupied as, or designed or intended for occupancy as, a residence by one or more families, and any vacant land that is offered for sale or lease for the construction or location thereon of any such building, structure, or portion thereof.
(14) “Sex” means gender.
(15) “Sexual orientation” means heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and gender expression or identity. As used in this definition, “gender expression or identity” means having or being perceived as having a gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior, or expression, whether or not that gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior, or expression is different from that traditionally associated with the sex assigned to that person at birth.
(16) “Aggrieved person” means any person who: (a) Claims to have been injured by an unfair practice in a real estate transaction; or (b) believes that he or she will be injured by an unfair practice in a real estate transaction that is about to occur.
(17) “Complainant” means the person who files a complaint in a real estate transaction.
(18) “Respondent” means any person accused in a complaint or amended complaint of an unfair practice in a real estate transaction.
(19) “Credit transaction” includes any open or closed end credit transaction, whether in the nature of a loan, retail installment transaction, credit card issue or charge, or otherwise, and whether for personal or for business purposes, in which a service, finance, or interest charge is imposed, or which provides for repayment in scheduled payments, when such credit is extended in the regular course of any trade or commerce, including but not limited to transactions by banks, savings and loan associations or other financial lending institutions of whatever nature, stock brokers, or by a merchant or mercantile establishment which as part of its ordinary business permits or provides that payment for purchases of property or service therefrom may be deferred.
(20) “Families with children status” means one or more individuals who have not attained the age of eighteen years being domiciled with a parent or another person having legal custody of such individual or individuals, or with the designee of such parent or other person having such legal custody, with the written permission of such parent or other person. Families with children status also applies to any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of eighteen years.
(21) “Covered multifamily dwelling” means: (a) Buildings consisting of four or more dwelling units if such buildings have one or more elevators; and (b) ground floor dwelling units in other buildings consisting of four or more dwelling units.
(22) “Premises” means the interior or exterior spaces, parts, components, or elements of a building, including individual dwelling units and the public and common use areas of a building.
(23) “Dog guide” means a dog that is trained for the purpose of guiding blind persons or a dog that is trained for the purpose of assisting hearing impaired persons.
(24) “Service animal” means an animal that is trained for the purpose of assisting or accommodating a person with a disability's sensory, mental, or physical disability.
(25) “Honorably discharged veteran or military status” means a person who is:
(a) A veteran, as defined in RCW 41.04.007; or
(b) An active or reserve member in any branch of the armed forces of the United States, including the national guard, coast guard, and armed forces reserves.
CREDIT(S)
[2007 c 187 § 4, eff. July 22, 2007; 2006 c 4 § 4, eff. June 8, 2006; 1997 c 271 § 3; 1995 c 259 § 2. Prior: 1993 c 510 § 4; 1993 c 69 § 3; prior: 1985 c 203 § 2; 1985 c 185 § 2; 1979 c 127 § 3; 1973 c 141 § 4; 1969 ex.s. c 167 § 3; 1961 c 103 § 1; 1957 c 37 § 4; 1949 c 183 § 3; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 7614-22.]
West's Revised Code of Washington Annotated Currentness. Title 49. Labor Regulations. Chapter 49.60. Discrimination--Human Rights Commission.
49.60.370. Liability for killing or injuring dog guide or service animal-- Penalty in addition to other remedies or penalties--Recovery of attorneys' fees and costs--No duty to investigate
(1) A person who negligently or maliciously kills or injures a dog guide or service animal is liable for a penalty of one thousand dollars, to be paid to the user of the animal. The penalty shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any other remedies or penalties, civil or criminal, provided by law.
(2) A user or owner of a dog guide or service animal, whose animal is negligently or maliciously injured or killed, is entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in pursuing any civil remedy.
(3) The commission has no duty to investigate any negligent or malicious acts referred to under this section.
CREDIT(S)
[1997 c 271 § 23; 1988 c 89 § 1. Formerly RCW 70.84.100.]
49.60.380. License waiver for dog guide and service animals
A county, city, or town shall honor a request by a blind person or hearing impaired person not to be charged a fee to license his or her dog guide, or a request by a physically disabled person not to be charged a fee to license his or her service animal.
CREDIT(S)
[1997 c 271 § 24; 1989 c 41 § 1. Formerly RCW 70.84.120.]
West's Revised Code of Washington Annotated Currentness. Title 70. Public Health and Safety. Chapter 70.84. Blind, Handicapped, and Disabled Persons--"White Cane Law"
70.84.010. Declaration--Policy
The legislature declares:
(1) It is the policy of this state to encourage and enable the blind, the visually handicapped, the hearing impaired, and the otherwise physically disabled to participate fully in the social and economic life of the state, and to engage in remunerative employment.
(2) As citizens, the blind, the visually handicapped, the hearing impaired, and the otherwise physically disabled have the same rights as the able-bodied to the full and free use of the streets, highways, walkways, public buildings, public facilities, and other public places.
(3) The blind, the visually handicapped, the hearing impaired, and the otherwise physically disabled are entitled to full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges on common carriers, airplanes, motor vehicles, railroad trains, motor buses, street cars, boats, and all other public conveyances, as well as in hotels, lodging places, places of public resort, accommodation, assemblage or amusement, and all 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.
CREDIT(S)
[1980 c 109 § 1; 1969 c 141 § 1.]
70.84.020. "Dog guide" defined
For the purpose of this chapter, the term "dog guide" means a dog that is trained for the purpose of guiding blind persons or a dog trained for the purpose of assisting hearing impaired persons.
CREDIT(S)
[1997 c 271 § 18; 1980 c 109 § 2; 1969 c 141 § 2.]
70.84.021. "Service animal" defined
For the purpose of this chapter, "service animal" means an animal that is trained for the purposes of assisting or accommodating a disabled person's sensory, mental, or physical disability.
CREDIT(S)
[1997 c 271 § 19; 1985 c 90 § 1.]
70.84.040. Precautions for drivers of motor vehicles approaching pedestrian who is using a white cane, dog guide, or service animal
The driver of a vehicle approaching a totally or partially blind pedestrian who is carrying a cane predominantly white in color (with or without a red tip), a totally or partially blind or hearing impaired pedestrian using a dog guide, or an otherwise physically disabled person using a service animal shall take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to such pedestrian. Any driver who fails to take such precaution shall be liable in damages for any injury caused such pedestrian. It shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to drive into or upon any crosswalk while there is on such crosswalk, such pedestrian, crossing or attempting to cross the roadway, if such pedestrian is using a white cane, using a dog guide, or using a service animal. The failure of any such pedestrian so to signal shall not deprive him of the right of way accorded him by other laws.
CREDIT(S)
[1997 c 271 § 20; 1985 c 90 § 3; 1980 c 109 § 4; 1971 ex.s. c 77 § 1; 1969 c 141 § 4.]
70.84.050. Handicapped pedestrians not carrying white cane or using dog guide--Rights and privileges
A totally or partially blind pedestrian not carrying a white cane or a totally or partially blind or hearing impaired pedestrian not using a dog guide in any of the places, accommodations, or conveyances listed in RCW 70.84.010, shall have all of the rights and privileges conferred by law on other persons.
CREDIT(S)
[1997 c 271 § 21; 1980 c 109 § 5; 1969 c 141 § 5.]
70.84.060. Unauthorized use of white cane, dog guide, or service animal
It shall be unlawful for any pedestrian who is not totally or partially blind to use a white cane or any pedestrian who is not totally or partially blind or is not hearing impaired to use a dog guide or any pedestrian who is not otherwise physically disabled to use a service animal in any of the places, accommodations, or conveyances listed in RCW 70.84.010 for the purpose of securing the rights and privileges accorded by the chapter to totally or partially blind, hearing impaired, or otherwise physically disabled people.
CREDIT(S)
[1997 c 271 § 22; 1985 c 90 § 4; 1980 c 109 § 6; 1969 c 141 § 6.]
70.84.070. Penalty for violations
Any person or persons, firm or corporation, or the agent of any person or persons, firm or corporation, who denies or interferes with admittance to or enjoyment of the public facilities enumerated in RCW 70.84.010, or otherwise interferes with the rights of a totally or partially blind, hearing impaired, or otherwise physically disabled person as set forth in RCW 70.84.010 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
CREDIT(S)
[1985 c 90 § 5; 1980 c 109 § 7; 1969 c 141 § 7.]
70.84.080. Employment of blind or other handicapped persons in public service
In accordance with the policy set forth in RCW 70.84.010, the blind, the visually handicapped, the hearing impaired, and the otherwise physically disabled shall be employed in the state service, in the service of the political subdivisions of the state, in 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.
CREDIT(S)
[1980 c 109 § 8; 1969 c 141 § 9.]
70.84.900. Short title
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "White Cane Law."
CREDIT(S)
[1969 c 141 § 11.]
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