Service dogs are allowed in Hawai‘i’s restaurants, but other dogs can only hope for a leftover while waiting in the back of the truck or at home. A bill introduced last week at the state Legislature aims to change that.
Senate Bill 3032 would allow dogs in restaurants at the restaurant owner’s or manager’s discretion if certain conditions are met.
Sen. Shan Tsutsui, D-Wailuku, Kahului, Pa‘ia, introduced the bill by request Wednesday. SB 3032 survived a first reading Friday, when it was referred to the Senate’s Commerce and Consumer Protection and Health committees.
Both committees have until Feb. 9 to schedule a meeting on the bill.
The bill in its current form would allow patrons to bring dogs into restaurants as long as the dog is kept under his or her control at all times and on a leash to keep the dog within 2 feet of the patron.
The dog must remain within the patron’s seating area and on the floor, not interfere with employees’ activities, not obstruct pathways, and not enter the kitchen or pantry.
In other words, as long as a certain restaurant allows dogs and the dogs behave, it is OK for patrons to bring their furry friends to that restaurant.
The establishment’s owner or manager can also impose additional conditions.
In addition, restaurants would have to post a “dogs are allowed in this restaurant” sign at the establishment’s entrance, with a list of conditions displayed. If any of the conditions conflict with federal law on service animals, the federal law would prevail, according to the proposed bill.
If conditions were not met, the owner or manager of the restaurant could request patrons to remove their dogs. Patrons who bring dogs, regardless of who owns the animal, would be financially responsible for any damages caused by the dogs, including property damages and personal injuries.
As of Monday no testimony on SB 3032 had been posted on the Legislature website.
Testimony can be sent regarding this bill, or any other bill, by visiting www.capitol.hawaii.gov, doing a search for the bill and clicking on the “submit testimony” link at the top of the bill’s page.
