The legislative bill discussed is focused on ensuring students with disabilities have the right to use service animals in schools across Minnesota. This bill outlines various provisions, including:

1. Student Rights: Students are allowed to bring service animals that are part of their individualized education plans (IEP). Schools cannot deny this right.

2. Definitions: It defines key terms such as “service animal” which includes dogs or other animals trained to assist individuals with disabilities, and “related services”, which are additional supports needed by students with disabilities, including the use of service animals.

3. School Responsibilities: Schools must adapt their policies to accommodate service animals, ensuring staff are trained to understand and handle service animals correctly. Paraprofessionals, if assigned to students, are required to assist with tasks related to the service animal, such as tethering, providing water, and helping the student in maneuvering through the school.

4. Control of Service Animal: The service animal must be under the control of the handler, who is typically the student with a disability. If a tether like a leash can’t be used due to the student's disability, the animal should still be under control through other means like voice commands.

5. No School Responsibility for Animal Care: Schools are not responsible for the care or supervision of the service animal, such as feeding, grooming, or veterinary care.

6. Policy Modifications: Schools must update their policies by August 1, 2025, to align with federal regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act concerning the use of service animals by individuals with disabilities.

This bill reinforces the rights of students with disabilities to use service animals in educational settings, making clear the responsibilities of both schools and students for integrating service animals effectively and safely into daily school activities.