WisconsinProposal would penalize false service-animal claims and set housing proof rules
The proposed measure would set proof rules for emotional support animals in housing, penalties for listed false claims, and guidance for businesses about service animals.
What it does
When someone keeps or seeks to keep an emotional support animal in housing, providers may ask for reliable proof of a disability and the animal’s related need. They may also ask for a prescription or letter.
A person seeking housing would owe at least $500 for listed false claims about a disability or an emotional support animal, or for providing false prescription or letter documents.
A licensed health professional would owe at least $500 for listed false statements about a patient's disability or animal need, or for providing a letter or prescription without a 30-day patient relationship.
A person who knowingly and intentionally falsely claims to have a service animal in a public place may face a forfeiture or community service. The limits are higher for repeat violations.
The Department of Workforce Development would prepare signs and a guide about service animals for businesses. Businesses could request them, and the department would consult service-animal and business organizations.
Argument forBusinesses could get clearer guidance about service animals, and penalties may discourage people from knowingly making false claims.
Argument againstPeople with disabilities could face more suspicion if false service-animal claims lead businesses to question whether their animals are allowed.
More detail
Housing providers may ask for reliable proof of a disability and an emotional support animal’s disability-related need. This applies when someone keeps or seeks to keep an emotional support animal in housing. Providers may also ask for documentation, including a prescription or letter, for the emotional support animal.
A person seeking housing would face a forfeiture of at least $500 for the listed false claims or documents. The rule concerns misrepresentations made to obtain housing about a disability or an emotional support animal. The text lists intentionally misrepresenting a disability, misrepresenting the need for an emotional support animal, and providing false prescription or letter documentation.
A licensed health professional would face a forfeiture of at least $500 for the listed misrepresentations or for providing a letter or prescription without the required patient relationship. This applies when the professional acts to allow a patient to obtain housing. The text lists misrepresenting a patient's disability or need for an emotional support animal, or providing a prescription or letter without having at least a 30-day relationship with the patient.
A person who knowingly and intentionally falsely claims to have a service animal in a public place may face a forfeiture or community service. The claim must be made knowingly and intentionally at a public place of accommodation or amusement. For a first violation, the forfeiture may be up to $200, or a court may require 20 hours of community service for an organization serving people with disabilities. For a second or later violation, the forfeiture may be up to $500, or a court may require 40 hours of such community service. The higher forfeiture or service requirement applies to a second or later violation.
The Department of Workforce Development would prepare service-animal signs and a business guide and make them available to businesses upon request. The sign would welcome task-trained service animals and state that falsely claiming an animal is a service animal violates state law. The guide would explain business rights and lawful ways to check for a violation. The department would consult service-animal and business organizations while preparing the materials.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 13Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82Latest
- May 12Placed on calendar 5-12-2026 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)
- 2025
- Dec 5Report vetoed by the Governor Tony Evers on 12-5-2025Major
- Dec 4Presented to the Governor on 12-4-2025To Governor
- Nov 20Report correctly enrolled on 11-20-2025Minor
- Nov 19Received from Senate concurred inMinor
- Nov 18Ordered immediately messaged
- Vote recorded Senate Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 15. Result: pass.Upper
- Nov 18Read a third time and concurred inPassed Senate
- Nov 18Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
- Nov 18Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Nov 18Senate Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 15Minor
- Nov 18Read a second timeMinor
- Nov 18Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senators Hesselbein, Spreitzer, Smith, Roys, Keyeski, Dassler-Alfheim, Ratcliff, Habush Sinykin, Wall, Pfaff and LarsonMinor
- Nov 14Placed on calendar 11-18-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Vote recorded Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Nov 14Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
- Nov 11Available for scheduling
- Vote recorded Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and Forestry, Ayes 3, Noes 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Nov 11Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and Forestry, Ayes 3, Noes 2Minor
- Nov 11Executive action taken
- Oct 8Read first time and referred to committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and ForestryMinor
- Oct 7Received from AssemblyMinor
- Oct 7Ordered immediately messaged
- Oct 7Read a third time and passedPassed Assembly
- Oct 7Rules suspended
- Oct 7Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Oct 7Assembly Amendment 1 adoptedMajor
- Oct 7Read a second timeMinor
- Oct 3Referred to calendar of 10-7-2025Minor
- Vote recorded Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Housing and Real Estate, Ayes 9, Noes 5. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Housing and Real Estate, Ayes 11, Noes 3. Result: pass.Lower
- Oct 3Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Housing and Real Estate, Ayes 9, Noes 5Minor
- Oct 3Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Housing and Real Estate, Ayes 11, Noes 3Minor
- Oct 2Executive action taken
- Oct 1Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative TittlMinor
- Sep 30Public hearing held
- Aug 5Fiscal estimate receivedMinor
- Jul 17Read first time and referred to Committee on Housing and Real EstateMinor
- Jul 17Introduced by Representatives Tittl, Behnke, B. Jacobson, Kitchens, Knodl, Maxey, Moses and Murphy; cosponsored by Senator Cabral-GuevaraIntroduced
HousingDisability Rights