State lawmakers are considering making it a misdemeanor to lie to landlords about needing an emotional support animal. Jim Schaafsma is with the Michigan Poverty Law Program. He has two concerns. One is that the bills would conflict with patient privacy and federal fair housing laws. The other is that the bills go beyond what is needed to stop fake emotional support animal use.
“These requirements," Schaafsma said, "would have a chilling effect on legitimate requests for a reasonable accommodation in the form of an emotional support animal.”
Democratic Representative Sara Cambensy is a bill sponsor. She says she’s willing to consider some changes to the bills to address concerns. But she doesn’t believe the changes would discourage the use of emotional support animals.