ARTICLE 4. Emotional Support Animals [122317. - 122319.5.]

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC 4.

in effect

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 122317. Section 122317.

(a) A person or business that sells or provides a dog for use as an emotional support dog shall provide a written notice to the buyer or recipient of the dog that states all of the following: (1) The dog does not have the special training required to qualify as a guide, signal, or service dog. (2) The dog is not entitled to the rights and privileges accorded by law to a guide, signal, or service dog. (3) Knowingly and fraudulently representing oneself to be the owner or trainer of any canine licensed as, to be qualified as, or identified as, a guide, signal, or service dog is a misdemeanor violation of Section 365.7 of the Penal Code. (b) A person or business that sells or provides a certificate, identification, tag, vest, leash, or harness for an emotional support animal shall provide a written notice to the buyer or recipient that states all of the following: (1) The item does not entitle an emotional support animal to the rights and privileges accorded by law to a guide, signal, or service dog. (2) Knowingly and fraudulently representing oneself to be the owner or trainer of any canine licensed as, to be qualified as, or identified as, a guide, signal, or service dog is a misdemeanor violation of Section 365.7 of the Penal Code. (c) The written notices described in subdivisions (a) and (b) shall be made in at least 12-point bold type, and shall be provided on the receipt for the emotional support dog or the product described in subdivision (b), or on a separate piece of paper.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 122318. Section 122318.

(a) A health care practitioner shall not provide documentation relating to an individual’s need for an emotional support dog unless the health care practitioner complies with all of the following criteria: (1) Possesses a valid, active license and includes the effective date, license number, jurisdiction, and type of professional license in the documentation. (2) Is licensed to provide professional services within the scope of the license in the jurisdiction in which the documentation is provided. (3) (A) Except as specified in subparagraph (B), establishes a client-provider relationship with the individual for at least 30 days prior to providing the documentation requested regarding the individual’s need for an emotional support dog. (B) A client-provider relationship with the individual of 30 days or more shall not be required for individuals who are verified to be homeless. Homeless status may be verified by any of the following: (I) Identification through the local Homeless Management Information System, as defined in Section 578.3 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (II) Via a continuum of care, as defined in Section 578.3 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or a homeless services provider that is contracting with a continuum of care. (III) Visual confirmation by a homeless services provider of individuals dwelling in a homeless shelter, homeless encampment, outdoor makeshift shelter, or vehicle. (4) Completes a clinical evaluation of the individual regarding the need for an emotional support dog. (5) Provides a verbal or written notice to the individual that knowingly and fraudulently representing oneself to be the owner or trainer of any canine licensed as, to be qualified as, or identified as, a guide, signal, or service dog is a misdemeanor violation of Section 365.7 of the Penal Code. (b) For purposes of this section, “health care practitioner” means a person who is licensed and regulated pursuant to Division 2 (commencing with Section 500) of the Business and Professions Code, who is acting within the scope of practice of the person’s license or certificate. (c) A health care practitioner may be subject to discipline from the health care practitioner’s licensing board for a violation of this section.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 122319. Section 122319.

(a) (1) A violation of either of the following shall be subject to a civil penalty of five hundred dollars ($500) for the first violation, one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the second violation, and two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for the third and any subsequent violation: (A) Knowingly and fraudulently representing, selling, or offering for sale, or attempting to represent, sell, or offer for sale, an emotional support dog as being entitled to the rights and privileges accorded by law to a guide, signal, or service dog. (B) Violating the written notice requirements specified in Section 122317. (2) An action for civil penalties under this section may be brought by the Attorney General, a district attorney, a county counsel, or a city attorney. (b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict or change existing federal and state law related to a person’s rights for reasonable accommodation and equal access to housing, including, but not limited to, rights afforded under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 12900) of Part 2.8 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the Unruh Civil Rights Act (Section 51 of the Civil Code), and the Disabled Persons Act (Part 2.5 (commencing with Section 54) of Division 1 of the Civil Code).

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 122319.5. Section 122319.5.

For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply: (a) “Emotional support animal” means an animal that provides emotional, cognitive, or other similar support to an individual with a disability, and that does not need to be trained or certified. (b) “Emotional support dog” means a dog that provides emotional, cognitive, or other similar support to an individual with a disability, and that does not need to be trained or certified. (c) “Guide, signal, or service dog” has the meaning set forth in subdivisions (d), (e), and (f) of Section 365.5 of the Penal Code, and paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 54.1 of the Civil Code.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026