Protection from third-party interference

What this component proposes

Address interference by third parties that disrupts a working service-dog team.

• Define prohibited knowing interference without criminalizing ordinary accidental interactions.
• Recognize distraction, obstruction and unsafe conduct as potential access problems.
• Coordinate with the more detailed citizen-harassment enforcement proposal in Component 31.

Current federal law and proposed change

This component describes a proposed reform, not an enacted federal requirement. Existing protections depend on the setting and may arise under the ADA, Rehabilitation Act, Fair Housing Act, Air Carrier Access Act, veterans' benefits laws or state law. The general DOJ references below explain ADA public-access rules only; they do not establish every setting-specific rule or endorse this proposal. A component-specific, source-cited legal comparison is still required.

Primary federal references

• U.S. DOJ: ADA Service Animals FAQ (general public-access baseline)
• U.S. DOJ: ADA Service Animals Requirements

These sources explain general ADA public-access guidance, not every setting-specific rule. They do not endorse this legislative proposal. A full cross-statute legal analysis is still in development.

Implementation and legal questions

• Intent and actual interference require clear evidentiary standards.
• Avoid duplicative or conflicting penalties across Components 19 and 31.

Questions for working teams and stakeholders

1. What kinds of interference are most common?
2. Where should the line fall between rude conduct and a sanctionable offense?

Feedback is welcome from owner-trained and professionally trained teams, including people who oppose mandatory registration. Please reference Component 19 in your response.

Content status: consultation summary. Detailed source-by-source legal verification remains pending. This is not final bill text, a legal opinion, or a representation that any government agency has endorsed the initiative.