Tennessee
Applies to Guide, Hearing, and Service Dogs
Accessibility “. . . any place of public accommodation, amusement or recreation, including, but not limited to, any inn, hotel, restaurant, eating house, barber shop, billiard parlor, store, public conveyance on land or water, theater, motion picture house, public educational institution or elevator.”2
Interference Class C misdemeanor
Housing “. . . entitled to full and equal access, as other members of the general public, to all housing accommodations offered for rent, lease or compensation in this state, subject to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable to all persons”3; “. . . no deposit may be required to be paid, with respect to the dog.”4 Licenses/Fees not mentioned
Identification harness and leash required (Guide Dog and Service Dog); leash (Hearing Dog); must be credentialed
Misrepresentation “No person, unless totally or partially deaf, shall carry, hold, or use on any street, highway, or in any other public place, a leash blaze orange in color on any dog accompanying such person.”5 Trainers same rights as disabled
White Cane cautionary statute; no proclamation
Penalties Class C misdemeanor
Summary Tennessee law requires that a specially trained Assistance Dog be allowed to accompany a blind, deaf, or physically disabled person or trainer to all public accommodations and common carriers. Extra charges cannot be made due to the presence of the dog, but if the dog causes damage to the premises, the dog user is liable.
