As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

“Hearing dog” means a dog trained to alert its owner by touch to sounds of danger and sounds to which the owner should respond.

“Mental impairment” means (i) a disability attributable to intellectual disability, autism, or any other neurological disability closely related to intellectual disability and requiring treatment similar to that required by individuals with intellectual disability or (ii) an organic or mental impairment that has substantial adverse effects on an individual’s cognitive or volitional functions, including central nervous system disorders or significant discrepancies among mental functions of an individual.

“Mobility-impaired person” means any person who (i) is unable to move about without the aid of crutches, a wheelchair, or any other form of support or (ii) has limited functional ability to ambulate, climb, descend, sit, rise, or perform any related function.

“Otherwise disabled person” means any person who has a physical, sensory, intellectual, developmental, or mental disability or a mental illness.

“Person with a disability” means any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of his major life activities or who has a record of such impairment.

“Physical impairment” means any physical condition, anatomic loss, or cosmetic disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect, or illness.

“Service dog” means a dog trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a mobility-impaired or otherwise disabled person. The work or tasks performed by a service dog shall be directly related to the individual’s disability or disorder. Examples of work or tasks include providing nonviolent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting an individual to the presence of allergens, retrieving items, carrying items, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability, and preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship shall not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.

“Three-unit service dog team” means a team consisting of a trained service dog, a person with a disability, and a person who is an adult and who has been trained to handle the service dog.

2012, cc. 476, 507, 803, 835; 2014, c. 616; 2023, cc. 148, 149, 513.