Subdivision 1.Definitions.

As used in this section:

Attorney's Note

Under the Minnesota Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Misdemeanorup to 90 daysup to $1,000
Petty misdemeanorup to $300
For details, see § 609.02 and

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Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 609.833

  • Person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
  • state: extends to and includes the District of Columbia and the several territories. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44

(1) “place of public accommodation” has the meaning given in section 363A.03, subdivision 34; and

(2) “service animal” has the meaning given in 28 C.F.R. § 36.104, as amended through March 1, 2018.

Subd. 2.Prohibited conduct.

A person may not, directly or indirectly through statements or conduct, intentionally misrepresent an animal in that person’s possession as a service animal in any place of public accommodation to obtain any rights or privileges available to a person who qualifies for a service animal under state or federal law knowing that the person is not entitled to those rights or privileges.

Subd. 3.Penalty.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a person who violates subdivision 2 is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.

(b) A person who violates subdivision 2 a second or subsequent time is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Subd. 4.Notice.

(a) A conspicuous sign may be posted in a location accessible to public view in a place of public accommodation that contains the following, or substantially similar, language:

“NOTICE

Service Animals Welcome. It is illegal for a person to misrepresent an animal in that person’s possession as a service animal.”

(b) The Council on Disability may prepare and make available to businesses a brochure detailing permissible questions a business owner may ask to determine whether an animal is a service animal, proper answers to those questions, and guidelines defining unacceptable behavior.