{
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
  "title": "State laws on emotional support animal documentation and fraudulent assistance-animal claims",
  "site": "https://www.supportpet.org",
  "page": "https://www.supportpet.org/esa-letter-laws-by-state",
  "updated": "2026-10-15",
  "license": "Educational use only; not legal advice. Statutes change; verify against the current state code.",
  "notes": "Entries with verified=true were read against the cited source on last_checked. Entries with verified=false come from the Animal Legal & Historical Center map of states with laws on fraudulent assistance animals (2026) and have not been read by us; no requirements are asserted for them.",
  "states": [
    {
      "state": "AR",
      "name": "Arkansas",
      "verified": true,
      "last_checked": "2026-10-15",
      "scope": "emotional support dogs",
      "documentation_law": {
        "citation": "Ark. Code §§ 20-14-1001 to 20-14-1005",
        "url": "https://www.animallaw.info/statute/ar-assistance-animal-arkansas-assistance-animalguide-dog-laws",
        "effective": "2023-08-01",
        "amended": "2025-08-05",
        "requirements": [
          "provider holds a valid, active license",
          "license effective date, number, jurisdiction and type on the documentation",
          "licensed in the jurisdiction where the documentation is provided",
          "client-provider relationship of at least 30 days (verified homeless individuals exempt)",
          "clinical evaluation at least once a year",
          "verbal or written notice that misrepresenting a service animal may bring a civil penalty"
        ],
        "registration_insufficient": null
      },
      "fraud_penalty": {
        "citation": "Ark. Code § 20-14-1004",
        "summary": "civil penalties of $500, $1,000, then $2,500 per violation"
      }
    },
    {
      "state": "CA",
      "name": "California",
      "verified": true,
      "last_checked": "2026-10-15",
      "scope": "emotional support dogs",
      "documentation_law": {
        "citation": "Cal. Health & Safety Code § 122318 (AB 468)",
        "url": "https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/law_changes_2022/ab_468_faq.pdf",
        "effective": "2022-01-01",
        "requirements": [
          "valid, active license; license effective date, number, jurisdiction and type on the documentation",
          "licensed in the jurisdiction where the documentation is provided",
          "client-provider relationship of at least 30 days",
          "clinical evaluation of the need for an emotional support dog",
          "verbal or written notice that misrepresenting a service dog is a misdemeanor under Penal Code § 365.7"
        ],
        "registration_insufficient": null
      },
      "fraud_penalty": {
        "citation": "Cal. Penal Code § 365.7",
        "summary": "misrepresenting a guide, signal or service dog: misdemeanor, up to 6 months and/or $1,000"
      }
    },
    {
      "state": "FL",
      "name": "Florida",
      "verified": true,
      "last_checked": "2026-10-15",
      "scope": "emotional support animals",
      "documentation_law": {
        "citation": "Fla. Stat. § 760.27",
        "url": "https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/760.27",
        "effective": "2020",
        "requirements": [
          "information from a health care practitioner or telehealth provider with personal knowledge of the disability, acting within scope of practice",
          "out-of-state practitioner only if in-person care provided at least once",
          "tenant may not be required to pay extra compensation for the animal"
        ],
        "registration_insufficient": true
      },
      "fraud_penalty": {
        "citation": "Fla. Stat. § 817.265",
        "summary": "false or fraudulent proof of need for an ESA: second-degree misdemeanor plus 30 hours of community service"
      }
    },
    {
      "state": "IL",
      "name": "Illinois",
      "verified": true,
      "last_checked": "2026-10-15",
      "scope": "assistance animals (housing)",
      "documentation_law": {
        "citation": "310 ILCS 120 (Assistance Animal Integrity Act, P.A. 101-518)",
        "url": "https://www.animallaw.info/statute/il-assistance-animals-assistance-animalguide-dog-laws",
        "effective": "2020-01-01",
        "requirements": [
          "written documentation describing the disability-related need",
          "from a person with whom the requester has a therapeutic relationship (good-faith medical, program or personal care)",
          "excludes entities that issue certificates or similar documents without a meaningful assessment"
        ],
        "registration_insufficient": null
      },
      "fraud_penalty": null
    },
    {
      "state": "IA",
      "name": "Iowa",
      "verified": true,
      "last_checked": "2026-10-15",
      "scope": "assistance animals (housing)",
      "documentation_law": {
        "citation": "Iowa Code §§ 216.8B, 216.8C",
        "url": "https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/216.8C.pdf",
        "effective": "2019",
        "amended": "2025",
        "requirements": [
          "written finding by a licensee under chapters 148, 148C, 152, 154B, 154C or 154D, or an out-of-state licensee in good standing",
          "states whether a disability and a disability-related need exist and what the animal does",
          "certifies whether the provider-patient relationship has existed, in person or via telehealth, for at least 30 days",
          "certifies familiarity with the person before the finding",
          "issue date, expiry date, license number and type",
          "discloses any separate fee paid solely for the finding",
          "finding valid 12 months or the lease term, whichever is greater",
          "landlord may not request a diagnosis or medical records"
        ],
        "registration_insufficient": true
      },
      "fraud_penalty": {
        "citation": "Iowa Code § 216C.11",
        "summary": "intentional misrepresentation of a service animal: simple misdemeanor"
      }
    },
    {
      "state": "LA",
      "name": "Louisiana",
      "verified": true,
      "last_checked": "2026-10-15",
      "scope": "support animals",
      "documentation_law": {
        "citation": "La. R.S. 46:1971–1978 (Support and Service Animal Integrity Act, Act 558 of 2024, H.B. 407)",
        "url": "https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1382297",
        "effective": "2024-08-01",
        "requirements": [
          "active Louisiana license or active compact license",
          "qualified and licensed to evaluate and diagnose disabilities; has performed a disability assessment",
          "effective date, license number and license type on the documentation",
          "therapeutic relationship established at least 30 days before producing documentation",
          "at least two sessions, in person or remote, before issuing documentation",
          "clinical evaluation at least 30 days before producing documentation",
          "therapeutic relationship excludes certificate or letter sellers"
        ],
        "registration_insufficient": null
      },
      "fraud_penalty": {
        "citation": "La. R.S. 46:1977",
        "summary": "fines of up to $500, $1,000, then $2,500 per violation"
      }
    },
    {
      "state": "MN",
      "name": "Minnesota",
      "verified": true,
      "last_checked": "2026-10-15",
      "scope": "service and support animals (housing)",
      "documentation_law": {
        "citation": "Minn. Stat. § 504B.113",
        "url": "https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/504B.113",
        "effective": "2021",
        "amended": "2024",
        "requirements": [
          "documentation from a licensed professional confirming the disability and the need for the animal",
          "Minnesota-licensed physician, PA, nurse, psychologist, mental health professional, social worker or counselor, or an out-of-state licensee with an existing treatment relationship",
          "excludes anyone who operates primarily to provide certification for a service or support animal",
          "landlord may not require medical records or access to providers",
          "no additional fee, charge or deposit for a service or support animal"
        ],
        "registration_insufficient": null
      },
      "fraud_penalty": {
        "citation": "Minn. Stat. § 504B.113 subd. 4–5",
        "summary": "knowing misrepresentation or fraudulent documentation: landlord may deny the application or the animal"
      }
    },
    {
      "state": "MT",
      "name": "Montana",
      "verified": true,
      "last_checked": "2026-10-15",
      "scope": "emotional support animals",
      "documentation_law": {
        "citation": "Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-114",
        "url": "https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0700/chapter_0240/part_0010/section_0140/0700-0240-0010-0140.html",
        "effective": "2023",
        "amended": "2025",
        "requirements": [
          "mental health professional licensed to practice in Montana",
          "client-provider relationship of at least 30 days",
          "clinical evaluation of the need for the animal",
          "acting within scope of the license",
          "landlord may not request a diagnosis or medical records",
          "landlord may require proof of licensure and vaccination"
        ],
        "registration_insufficient": true
      },
      "fraud_penalty": {
        "citation": "Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-114(7)",
        "summary": "practitioner subject to licensing-board discipline"
      }
    },
    {
      "state": "VA",
      "name": "Virginia",
      "verified": true,
      "last_checked": "2026-10-15",
      "scope": "assistance animals (housing)",
      "documentation_law": {
        "citation": "Va. Code § 36-96.3:1",
        "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title36/chapter5.1/section36-96.3:1/",
        "effective": "2017",
        "amended": "2023",
        "requirements": [
          "supporting documentation reflecting a therapeutic relationship",
          "therapeutic relationship: good-faith medical, program or personal care by a mental-health provider, licensed or certified professional, qualifying peer-support member, or caregiver, reliable third party or government entity with actual knowledge of the disability"
        ],
        "registration_insufficient": null
      },
      "fraud_penalty": {
        "citation": "Va. Code § 36-96.3:1(F); § 59.1-200",
        "summary": "fraudulent supporting documentation is a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act"
      }
    },
    {
      "state": "AL",
      "name": "Alabama",
      "verified": false,
      "source": "https://www.animallaw.info/content/map-states-laws-fraudulent-assistance-animals"
    },
    {
      "state": "CO",
      "name": "Colorado",
      "verified": false,
      "source": "https://www.animallaw.info/content/map-states-laws-fraudulent-assistance-animals"
    },
    {
      "state": "IN",
      "name": "Indiana",
      "verified": false,
      "source": "https://www.animallaw.info/content/map-states-laws-fraudulent-assistance-animals"
    },
    {
      "state": "KY",
      "name": "Kentucky",
      "verified": false,
      "source": "https://www.animallaw.info/content/map-states-laws-fraudulent-assistance-animals"
    },
    {
      "state": "MO",
      "name": "Missouri",
      "verified": false,
      "source": "https://www.animallaw.info/content/map-states-laws-fraudulent-assistance-animals"
    },
    {
      "state": "ND",
      "name": "North Dakota",
      "verified": false,
      "source": "https://www.animallaw.info/content/map-states-laws-fraudulent-assistance-animals"
    },
    {
      "state": "OK",
      "name": "Oklahoma",
      "verified": false,
      "source": "https://www.animallaw.info/content/map-states-laws-fraudulent-assistance-animals"
    },
    {
      "state": "PA",
      "name": "Pennsylvania",
      "verified": false,
      "source": "https://www.animallaw.info/content/map-states-laws-fraudulent-assistance-animals"
    },
    {
      "state": "SD",
      "name": "South Dakota",
      "verified": false,
      "source": "https://www.animallaw.info/content/map-states-laws-fraudulent-assistance-animals"
    },
    {
      "state": "TN",
      "name": "Tennessee",
      "verified": false,
      "source": "https://www.animallaw.info/content/map-states-laws-fraudulent-assistance-animals"
    },
    {
      "state": "WI",
      "name": "Wisconsin",
      "verified": false,
      "source": "https://www.animallaw.info/content/map-states-laws-fraudulent-assistance-animals"
    },
    {
      "state": "WY",
      "name": "Wyoming",
      "verified": false,
      "source": "https://www.animallaw.info/content/map-states-laws-fraudulent-assistance-animals"
    }
  ]
}