To amend section 955.43 of the Revised Code to provide access to places of public accommodation for police dogs.

Section 1. That section 955.43 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 955.43.  (A) When either a blind, deaf or hearing impaired, or mobility impaired person or a trainer of an assistance dog is accompanied by an assistance dog, or when an employee of a law enforcement agency or a trainer of a law enforcement dog is accompanied by a law enforcement dog, the person, the employee, or the trainer, as applicable, is entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of all public conveyances, hotels, lodging places, all places of public accommodation, amusement, or resort, all institutions of education, and other places to which the general public is invited, and may take the dog into such conveyances and places, subject only to the conditions and limitations applicable to all persons not so accompanied, except that:

(1) The dog shall not occupy a seat in any public conveyance.

(2) The dog shall be upon a leash while using the facilities of a common carrier.

(3) Any dog in training to become an assistance dog shall be covered by a liability insurance policy provided by the nonprofit special agency engaged in such work protecting members of the public against personal injury or property damage caused by the dog.

(B) No person shall deprive a blind, deaf or hearing impaired, or mobility impaired person or a trainer of an assistance dog who is accompanied by an assistance dog, or an employee of a law enforcement agency or a trainer of a law enforcement dog who is accompanied by a law enforcement dog, of any of the advantages, facilities, or privileges provided in division (A) of this section, nor charge the person, employee, or trainer a fee or charge for the dog.

(C) As used in this section, "institutions:

(1) "Law enforcement dog" means a law enforcement canine as defined in section 955.012 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Law enforcement agency" has the same meaning as in section 955.012 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Institutions of education" means:

(1)(a) Any state university or college as defined in section 3345.32 of the Revised Code;

(2)(b) Any private college or university that holds a certificate of authorization issued by the Ohio board of regents pursuant to Chapter 1713. of the Revised Code;

(3)(c) Any elementary or secondary school operated by a board of education;

(4)(d) Any chartered or nonchartered nonpublic elementary or secondary school;

(5)(e) Any school issued a certificate of registration by the state board of career colleges and schools.

Section 2. That existing section 955.43 of the Revised Code is hereby repealed.