Concerns training of employees about access to public facilities for individuals with service or guide dogs.
What changed between versions
Coverage expanded from 'employees' to include 'agents' who serve customers in public accommodations, and employers who directly serve customers or can provide/deny access are now also subject to training requirements.
Training oversight moved from the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development (who was to prepare a pamphlet) to the Division on Civil Rights, which must set minimum training standards, make them available on its website, and create a free recorded training. The original pamphlet preparation and distribution requirements were removed entirely.
New requirement that training be provided to all new employees and agents within 30 days of initial hire and to all employees and agents at least once every two years.
Private right of action eliminated. The bill now explicitly states that no person may file a complaint with the division or initiate a Superior Court action for failure to comply. Only the Attorney General or the division director may enforce violations, using penalties available under the Law Against Discrimination.
New section amends P.L.1977, c.456 to increase fines for service dog law violations from $100-$500 to $250-$1,000, and broadens prohibited conduct to include intentionally misrepresenting that a person is a guide or service dog trainer and interfering with the rights of persons with disabilities accompanied by guide or service dogs.
New section amends P.L.1971, c.130 to remove the requirement that service or guide dogs be 'trained by a recognized training agency or school,' broadening which dogs qualify. Also updates language to gender-neutral terms.
New section amends P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-5) to add the definition of 'Service in the Armed Forces of the United States' and reorganize existing definitions within the Law Against Discrimination.
Effective date changed from immediate to the first day of the sixth month following enactment, with a provision allowing the division director to take anticipatory action before that date.
