Iowa Service Dog Laws

Definitions

Under equal accommodation law:

“Service dog” means a dog specially trained to assist a person with a disability, whether described as a service dog, a support dog, an independence dog, or otherwise.

“Assistive animal” means a simian or other animal specially trained or in the process of being trained to assist a person with a disability.

A. § 216C.11

Accommodation Law

A person with a disability, a person assisting a person with a disability by controlling a service dog or an assistive animal, or a person training a service dog or an assistive animal has the right to be accompanied by a service dog or an assistive animal.

A person who knowingly denies or interferes with the right of a person under this section is, upon conviction, guilty of a simple misdemeanor.

C. A. § 216C.11

Every blind or partially blind person shall have the right to be accompanied by a guide dog.

C. A. § 216C.5

A deaf or hard-of-hearing person has the right to be accompanied by a hearing dog, under control and especially trained to assist the deaf or hard-of-hearing by responding to sound.

A person who denies or interferes with the right of a deaf or hard-of-hearing person under this section is, upon conviction, guilty of a simple misdemeanor.

C. A. § 216C.10

Any person, firm, or corporation, or the agent of any person, firm, or corporation, who denies or interferes with the rights of any person under this chapter shall be guilty of a simple misdemeanor.

C. A. § 216C.7

Driving Law

Any driver of a vehicle or operator of a motor-driven vehicle who approaches a person wholly or partially blind carrying a cane or being led by a guide dog wearing a harness shall immediately come to a complete stop, and take such precautions as may be necessary.

C. A. § 321.333

The failure of a blind or partially blind pedestrian to carry a cane or to use a guide dog in any place shall not be held to constitute or be evidence of contributory negligence.

C. A. § 216C.6