§ 45-2-35 — Canines certified to work with law enforcement officers or fire service personnel permitted to stay overnight in certain places of public accommodation on official business; penalties for violations.

(A) Canines certified to work with law enforcement officers or fire service personnel for the purpose of fire investigations, training, or other related purposes must be permitted to stay overnight with the officers or personnel when they are staying in a place of public accommodation on official business. No extra charge may be made for the certified canine; however, the employer of the officer or personnel in the accompany of the canine is liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by the certified canine. In a nonemergency situation, the law enforcement or fire service agency shall notify the manager of the place of public accommodation at the time of making the reservation for the law enforcement officer or fire service personnel that a certified canine shall accompany the law enforcement officer or fire service personnel. (B) A person who refuses to allow law enforcement officers or fire service personnel to stay overnight on official business in a place of public accommodation because the officer or personnel is accompanied by a certified canine is subject to a civil fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for each violation. (C) Hotels which operate for the express purpose of renting individually owned private dwellings are exempt from this section. (D) An innkeeper of a lodging establishment, as defined in Section 45-2-20, may designate a specific room for use by the certified canine and the accompanying law enforcement officer or fire service personnel.

Legislative History

HISTORY: 1997 Act No. 113, SECTION 5, eff June 13, 1997.