1. The Legislature finds and declares that: service animals have a long history of performing crucial tasks and fulfilling a significant role in the daily activities of many people with physical disabilities; in addition to their traditional roles, service animals can be trained to be a calming influence and provide a connection to the familiar in unfamiliar surroundings for students with autism or other developmental disabilities; under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, service animals are permitted in schools, other public areas, and places of public accommodation; allowing a student with autism or other disability to bring a service animal to class and on school grounds will enhance the learning process and help the student reach his full academic potential.

L.2011, c.156, s.1.