Bill on emotional support animal housing accommodations heads to gove…

The Senate sent legislation to the governor that would require additional documentation and certain restrictions for emotional support animals in Iowa rental properties.

While some lawmakers had objections to earlier versions of Senate File 2268, the bill was amended by the House and passed the Senate unanimously in its amended form Monday. The legislation would create a system allowing landlords to request documentation showing the need for an assistance animal or service animal from a tenant — stipulating that documentation should include whether that the medical provider registering the animal and patient had a relationship longer than one month before the request, and disclosure of if the licensing provider received a separate or additional fee for making the registration.

The legislation outlines reasons for which a landlord can reasonably deny requests for a service or support animal, such as undue financial and administrative hardship…