State-by-state access laws for guide dog users Text-only version State-by-state access laws for guide dog users		State access laws Beginning in 1992 with the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the right of a blind person to be accompanied by a dog guide was guaranteed. The term "public accommodation" stipulated which public facilities must give access to guide dog users. While all states must comply with the (ADA) regulations, access laws vary from state to state. Currently, the state of Hawaii maintains a 120-day quarantine policy for all dogs entering the state. The quarantine was instituted to protect Hawaii from rabies, thus Hawaiian guide dog users can only travel to "rabies-free zones" (currently New Zealand and Australia) if they want to avoid the quarantine when returning to Hawaii. In 1994, Guide Dog Users Inc. filed a class action suit challenging the quarantine policy. The case has gone through summary orders and appeals, from the state to the federal level. Currently it is back in the state's hands while all parties gather expert testimony. This past July, the Civil Rights division of the U.S. Department of Justice joined Guide Dog Users Inc. as a co-plaintiff. In general, international travellers with guide dogs must have a current health and rabies shot certificate for their dogs. Before traveling to most island and international destinations, they should check with the local department of agriculture for specific guidelines. Return to Cover