OCT 15 1992 The Honorable George J. Mitchell United States Senate 176 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-1902 Dear Senator Mitchell: This letter is in response to your inquiry on behalf of(b)(6) expressing concern that certain persons with disabilities who use service animals may be excluded from restaurants and other places of public accommodation, and that such individuals are not protected by Federal law. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA") authorizes the Department of Justice to provide technical assistance to individuals and entities having rights or obligations under the Act. This letter provides informal guidance to assist your constituent in understanding the ADA's requirements. However, it does not constitute a legal interpretation and it is not binding on the Department. Title III of the ADA specifically prohibits the use of eligibility criteria that tend to screen out individuals with disabilities from using places of public accommodation, unless such criteria are necessary for the operation of the public accommodation. This section, and the title III implementing regulations promulgated under it, directly address the concerns raised by (b)(6). The Department's title III regulation makes clear that places of public accommodation are prohibited from separating individuals with disabilities from their service animals. The regulation specifically provides that a public accommodation shall modify policies, practices, or procedures to permit the use of a service animal by an individual with a disability. Further, service animals are defined to include any guide dog, signal dog, cc: Records; Chrono; Wodatch; Contois; McDowney; FOIA; MAF. :udd:contois:cgl.mitchell 01-01580 or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including not only those animals that assist hearing or visually impaired individuals, but also those animals that provide minimal protection or rescue work, pull a wheelchair, or retrieve dropped items. For your information, I am enclosing a copy of this Department's regulation implementing title III of the ADA and the Technical Assistance Manual that was developed to assist individuals and entities subject to the ADA to understand the requirements of title III. The ADA's requirements on service animals can be found at Sections 36.104 and 36.302(c) at pages 35594 and 35397 of the Department's rule and page 23 of the Department's manual. I hope this information is useful to you in responding to (b)(6) Sincerely, John R. Dunne Assistant Attorney General Civil Rights Division Enclosures (2) 01-01581 INDEPENDENCE DOGS INC. LOVE-LIBERTY 146 STATE LINE ROAD HADDSFORD, PA 19317 (215) 358-2723 M. JEAN KING PRESIDENT WHAT IS NEEDED TO MAKE A RELATIONSHIP WITH A SERVICE DOG WORK. 1. A NECESSARY REALIZATION ON THE RECIPIENTS PART. That his dog is fully trained upon his arrival. The recipient must further realize that his dog is obeying the trainer implicitly at this time. It is now the recipients' responsibility to transfer this love and obedience to himself. The trainer will aid in this process as much as she can but can not accomplish it until the recipient has won the dogs' love and respect. 2. BONDING To the point where the dog chooses to stay by your side even though the dog knows he's on free time to be where ever he wants. For this to occur the dog should go everywhere you go and apply the following guide lines. 3. MUTUAL RESPECT & UNDERSTANDING. To the point where the dog wishes to work and please his person instead of the trainer. To be in tune with your dog to the point where a new situation arises and you are able to problem solve and resolve the problem. 4. TO BE ABLE TO VOCALIZE TO YOUR DOG IN DIFFERENT TONES AND EMOTIONS. ie. To know when you need to command and when to enthusiastically motivate your dog to listen and obey. 5. CONFIDENCE IN YOUR DOG. To always think positive when asking your dog to do something which due to lack of bonding he has refused to do for you before and also when it's something you ask of your dog to do for the first time. 01-01582 (Form) INDEPENDENCE DOGS, INC. LOVE AND LIBERTY 01-01583 QUESTIONS MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED ABOUT INDEPENDENCE DOGS What kind of dog is Shantih? An Akbash Dog from Turkey. This breed is 8,000 years old and is used now to guard sheep. They are called the "Guard Dog of the Sultans". There are only 800 of these dogs in the U.S. at this time. They area very loyal and highly intelligent breed. How long is the training period for an Independence Dog? From 6 to 8 months depending on the individual dog and depending also on the need of the recipient. What breeds of dogs are used in the program? Akbash Dogs, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Collies, Chesapeake Bays, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, are used for walkers and wheelchair dogs. How much does an Independence Dog cost? It costs approximately $8,000 to breed, raise and train one dog but the recipient is only asked to pay $150.00 and arrangements may be made to pay this amount in small installments if necessary. It has been our experience to have those who are financially able express a desire to contribute more than the minimum requirement. Such gifts are most gratefully accepted and are tax deductible. Who is eligible for an Independence Dog? Any man, woman or child who is mobility impaired, i.e. people suffering from muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, polio, cerebral palsy, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. What must a person do to obtain an Independence Dog? * They must have their physicians fill out a form stating that there is a need for such a dog and describing the patient's physical condition. * They must be willing to spend 2-4 weeks training with their dog. * They must have a desire to live life to the fullest in spite of their handicap. * They must agree to pay a minimum of $150 for their dog. * They must be able (or have someone who is) to provide proper care for their dog, such as grooming, feeding, veterinary care, etc. * They must agree to allow Independence Dogs the right to periodically ascertain that the dog is being well cared for and properly utilized. Is there an age requirement for recipients? Yes and no! In general Independence Dogs will be trained for anyone between the age of 10 to 65. However, there is not a hard and fast rule because each recipient is carefully screened and judged upon their individual circumstances. We have known many "old" youngsters of eight, and many "young" adults of seventy! Isn't there a possibility that such a dog would cause their recipient to become "lazy" and not get enough exercise? Yes, this is a possibility but we hope to circumvent it by working closely with the recipients physical therapist or occupational therapist. We feel very strongly that if properly utilized, our dogs can and will encourage their masters to attempt to do more for themselves - become more independent! My child is still in school and we live in an apartment where dogs are not allowed, how can we have an Independence Dog? page 2 Independence Dogs, Inc. 01-01584 ILLEGIBLE ILLEGIBLE ILLEGIBLE ILLEGIBLE Such bills have already been passed into law in twenty four other states and we are currently trying to have such legislation passed on a national level. Are Independence Dogs friendly? Yes! But we ask that our dogs not be petted by the public. They are, as are dog guides for the blind, working dogs and their full attention must be on their masters at all times! Even a moment's distraction could, in some instances, be a matter of life or death for the team. Is Independence Dogs the only organization of this kind? No. C.C.I. (Canine Companions for Independence) has been doing similar work for over 10 years, but they are located in Santa Rosa, California, and a recipient must pay their own transportation out and motel cost for the four week training period. They have, to date, established no other branches. It is our understanding that they are planning an extensive expansion program within the next ten years. Handi-Dogs in Tucson, Arizona are also training "companion type" dogs. However, it is their policy to train the dog and handicapped person together which requires a much longer period of involvement for the handicapped person. These dogs are not as specialized in their training for the handicapped, neither do Handi-Dogs have other branches. To the best of our knowledge, Support dogs for the Handicapped of Saint Louis is the fourth and final large training school for dogs serving the mobility impaired. They are located in Saint Louis, Missouri and are producing top notch service dogs. According to their director and founder they, also, have no plans for future expansion. Independence Dogs is the first organization of its scope on the east coast. We are pleased to announce that initial steps have been taken preparatory to future cooperation and accreditation among these schools. Will Independence Dogs protect their masters if the need arises? Yes! They are not attack dogs or personal protection dogs, but they will be trained to give protection if and when there is a need. How are your dogs trained? With as much love and patience and as little discipline as it is possible to give. Our dogs work because they want to and are proud of what they are doing not because they are afraid not to! Our dogs are trained to be intelligent "thinking" partners in a team - they do not work for us - they work with us! Their reward is the bond we share with them - our companionship and our undying love. They are not trained "robots" they are partners-in-living. How is Independence Dogs. Inc. financed? Independence Dogs.Inc. is a "not-for-profit organization" and as such relies on private contributions, fund raisers, contributions from service organizations and grants from philanthropic foundations. At the present time all of our help professional and nonprofessional is volunteer, with the exception of a full time trainer and her part time assistant. Have any provisions been made to house out-of-town students during the training periods with their dogs? Yes, there will be rooms available for such students at our school Independence Knoll. 146 State Line Road, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, 19317. There will be no charge for this service (to the recipient). If the Independence Dogs, Inc. page 3 01-01585 ILLEGIBLE ILLEGIBLE ILLEGIBLE ILLEGIBLE May a recipient request a special breed of dog? In general, no. Our dogs and recipients are carefully screened so as to achieve the "perfect match" as concerns activity level, temperament, strength, etc. These factors will, in the long run, become much more important to the recipient than the appearance or breed of the dog. Is this a "good" life for a dog? Yes indeed! An Independence Dog can and does go anywhere with its master. They are rarely, if ever, left alone. They receive the love and gratitude of their master many, many times a day. They are proud of their work. They feel wanted and very needed. They have the best of care, personal and veterinary, and also enjoy times of recreation and "dog" play everyday. What better life could a dog have? We have other dogs and cats in the family who are pets, can I still have an Independence Dog? Yes. All Independence Dogs are well socialized and non-aggressive. Advice will be given concerning the best methods to be used when introducing your Independence Dog into a home where there are other pets. What is meant by the terms: Wheelchair Dog and Walker Dogs? * A Wheelchair Dog is an especially trained dog to aid persons who are confined to a chair. These dogs are taught to pull their partners up ramps, through shopping malls, grocery stores, etc.: stand and brace enabling their partner to change from a wheelchair to another chair, car or bed and in the event that there is a fall from the chair this last maneuver will help the person to get back into their chair. These dogs are taught to retrieve articles which their masters may drop, turn off light switches, open heavy mall doors, pop curbs, pick up a telephone receiver and carry packages in their especially constructed back packs. * A Walker Dog is trained to assist a partner who has difficulty walking needing perhaps a cane, crutches or human assistance. With the use of these dogs the person with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy can throw away one crutch or cane and by leaning on the dog with the use of an especially designed harness be assisted up and down stairs, over curbs and out of chairs. These dogs will, of course, perform all other tasks such as retrieving etc. which are enumerated above. In addition to services enumerated for the various categories mentioned above, all of our dogs provide a fount of non-judgemental love, loyalty and understanding that cannot be obtained from any other source. Whom may we contact about Independence Dogs, should we wish to contribute, volunteer our services or have need of a dog? M. Jean King, President Independence Dogs, Inc. 146 State Line Road Chadds Ford, PA 19317 Phone (215) 358-2723 page 4 Independence Dogs, Inc. 01-01586 (Form) HOME OF INDEPENDENCE DOGS, THE KNOLL, DELAWARE COUNTY, PA. 01-01587 (Form) CURB POPPING SEQUENCE. With Shan's aid curbs are no longer a barrier. 01-01588 (Form) Shantih provides one dog power to take Jean Shopping. 01-01589 United States Senate Washington DC 20510-1902 July 27, 1992 Mr. James C. Lafferty Director of Legislative Affairs U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 1801 L Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20507 Dear Mr. Lafferty: I am writing on behalf of of (G)(6) Portland, Maine. I am enclosing a letter I received from (G)(6) with regard to the use of dogs to assist sighted disabled individuals to accompany them on common carrier transportation. I am interested in knowing if there is any flexibility within your regulations to address the issues raised in her correspondence. I appreciate your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon. With best wishes. Sincerely, George J. Mitchell Enclosure 01-01590 (Form) INDEPENDENCE DOGS CALLING 01-01591 (b)(6) Portland, Me May 20, 1992 Senator George Mitchell U S Senate Washington, DC 20510-1902 Dear Senator Mitchell: We have reviewed the following rules and act as well as state rulings for disabled persons who have trained dogs assisting them in their day to day living: H. R. 2245 dated May 7, 1991 H. R. 2278 dated June 26, 1991 Public Law 102 - 240 dated December 18, 1991 In summary, Public Law 102-240 does provide that as far as transportation carriers are concerned, trained animals that assist disabled individuals are permitted to accompany them on common carrier transportation. Present laws permit dogs trained to assist blind and hearing impaired individuals to accompany and stay with said individuals in housing, restaurants, and other businesses. However, it is important to note that animals trained to provide specialized services for disabled individuals are not covered under federal ruling and Maine State Statutes. In recent years, programs have started and are running to train and provide dogs and other animals to assist disabled individuals (who are not blind or hearing impaired) in their daily routine. Therefore, strong consideration should be given to ammending the present Federal and State rules including disabled individuals and their assisting animals under the same rules established for the blind and hearing impaired. Additionally, it will solve embarrassing situations that occur while traveling interstate and within this state. Thank you for your consideration and help in this matter. Sincerely, (b)(6) 01-01592 SPONSOR: Sen. Neal Sen. Cook, Holloway Berndt, Bane Rep. Di Pinto, Boykin, Maroney DELAWARE STATE SENATE 134TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE BILL NO. 143 AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 6, CHAPTER 45 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SUPPORT ANIMALS. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (Two-thirds of all members elected to each House thereof concurring therein): 1 Section 1. Amend S4501, Title 6, Delaware Code by adding a new 2 subsection 3, as follows: 3 "(3) 'Handicap' includes the use of support animal(s) because of a 4 physical handicap of the user. Support animal means any animal 5 individually trained to do work or perform tasks to meet the 6 requirements of a physically disabled person, including, but not limited 7 to, minimal protection work, rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or 8 fetching dropped items." 9 Section 2. Amend S4504(a), Title 6, Delaware Code by adding 10 the following: 11 "For the purposes of training support animals to be used by the 12 handicapped, all trainers and their support animals shall be included 13 within the those covered by this subsection." 14 SYNOPSIS At the end of the 133rd General Assembly, the word 'handicap' was added to the list of those against whom discrimination is prohibited. This Bill includes within the definition of handicap the use of support animals for such persons as those in wheelchairs. Currently, the blind and deaf already have similar legal protection in Title 31, S2117. This Bill also gives the trainers of support animals the same rights for the purposes of training these animals. This Bill requires a two-thirds majority vote due to the criminal penalties attached to violation of the Equal Accomodation Chapter. Author: Sen. Neal SR:JPN:rs 1 of 1 01-01593 1626 Act 1986 186 Laws of Pennsylvania No. 1986-186 AN ACT HB 141 Amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L. 744, No. 222), entitled, as amended, "An act prohibiting certain practices of discrimination because of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age or national origin by employers, employment agencies, labor organizations and others as herein defined; creating the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission in the Department of Labor and Industry; defining its functions, powers and duties; providing for procedure and enforcement; providing for formulation of an educational program to prevent prejudice; providing for judicial review and enforcement and imposing penalties," further providing for definitions; prohibiting certain discriminatory acts and practices; prohibiting the imposition of certain quotas; and reestablishing the commission and providing for its composition and compensation. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. Sections 2 and 3 of the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L. 744, No. 222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, amended April 8, 1982 (P.L. 284, No. 80), are amended to read: Section 2. Findings and Declaration of Policy. - (a) The practice or policy of discrimination against individuals or groups by reason of their race, color, religious creed, ancestry, handicap or disability, use of guide [dogs] animals because of blindness or deafness of the user, use of support animals because of a physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, age, sex, or national origin is a matter of concern of the Commonwealth. Such discrimination foments domestic strife and unrest, threatens the rights and privileges of the inhabitants of the Commonwealth, and undermines the foundations of a free democratic state. The denial of equal employment, housing and public accommodation opportunities because of such discrimination, and the consequent failure to utilize the productive capacities of individuals to their fullest extent, deprives large segments of the population of the Com- monwealth of earnings necessary to maintain decent standards of living, necessitates their resort to public relief and intensifies group conflicts, thereby resulting in grave injury to the public health and welfare, compels many individuals to live in dwellings which are substandard, unhealthful and overcrowded, resulting in racial segregation in public schools and other com- munity facilities, juvenile delinquency and other evils, thereby threatening the peace, health, safety and general welfare of the Commonwealth and its inhabitants. (b) It is hereby declared to be the public policy of this Commonwealth to foster the employment of all individuals in accordance with their fullest capacities regardless of their race, color, religious creed, ancestry, handicap ILLEGIBLE SESSION OF 1986 Act 1986 186 ILLEGIBLE use of support animals because of a physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, age, sex, or national origin, and to safeguard their right to obtain and hold employment without such discrimination, to assure equal opportunities to all individuals and to safeguard their rights [at places of] to public accommodation and to secure [commercial housing] housing accommodation and commercial prop- erty regardless of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, sex, handicap or disability, use of guide [dogs] animals because of blindness or deafness of the user or national origin. (c) This act shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the Com- monwealth for the protection of the public welfare, prosperity, health and peace of the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Section 3. Right to Freedom from Discrimination in Employment, Housing and [Places of] Public Accommodation. - The opportunity for an individual to obtain employment for which he is qualified, and to obtain all the accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges of any [place of] public accommodation and of [commercial housing] housing accommoda- tion and commercial property without discrimination because of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, handicap or disability, age, sex [or], national origin [are], the use of a guide or support animal because of blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals is hereby recognized as and declared to be [civil rights] a civil right which shall be enforceable as set forth in this act. [The opportunity of an individual to obtain all the accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges of commercial housing without discrimi- nation due to the sex of an individual or to the use of a guide dog because of blindness or deafness of the user is hereby recognized as and declared to be a civil right which shall be enforceable as set forth in this act.] Section 2. Section 4(c), (i), (j), (l) and (q) of the act, amended February 28, 1961 (P.L.47, No.19), November 27, 1967 (P.L.622, No.284), November 29, 1967 (P.L.632, No.291),' December 10, 1970 (P.L.882, No.278) and December 9, 1982 (P.L.1053, No.247), are amended and the section is amended by adding a clause to read: Section 4. Definitions. - As used in this act unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context: * * * (c) The term "employee" does not include (1) any individual employed in agriculture or in the domestic service of any person, (2) any [individual] individuals who, as a part of [his] their employment, [resides] reside in the personal residence of the employer, (3) any individual employed by said individual's parents, spouse or child. * * * (i) The term "housing accommodations" includes (1) any building [or], structure, mobile home site or facility, or portion thereof, which is used or occupied or is intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied as the home residence or sleeping place of one or more individuals, groups or fami- ILLEGIBLE 01-01594 land offered for sale [or], lease [for commercial housing] or held for the purpose of constructing or locating thereon any such building, structure, mobile home site or facility. The term "housing accommodation" shall not include any personal residence offered for rent by the owner or lessee thereof or by his or her broker, salesperson, agent or employee. (j) [The term "commercial housing" means housing accommodations held or offered for sale or rent (1) by a real estate broker, salesman or agent, or by any other person pursuant to authorization of the owner; (2) by the owner himself; or (3) by legal representatives, but shall not include any personal residence offered for rent by the owner or lessee thereof, or by his broker, salesman, agent or employee.] The term "commercial property" means (1) any building, structure or facility, or portion thereof, which is used, occupied or is intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied for the purpose of operating a business, an office, a manufactory or any public accommodation; and (2) any vacant land offered for sale, lease or held for the purpose of constructing or locating thereon any such building, structure, facility, business concern or public accommodation. * * * (l) The term "[place of] public accommodation, resort or amusement" means any [place] accommodation, resort or amusement which is open to, accepts or solicits the patronage of the general public, including but not limited to inns, taverns, roadhouses, hotels, motels, whether conducted for the entertainment of transient guests or for the accommodation of those seeking health, recreation or rest, or restaurants or eating houses, or any place where food is sold for consumption on the premises, buffets, saloons, barrooms or any store, park or enclosure where spirituous or malt liquors are sold, ice cream parlors, confectioneries, soda fountains and all stores where ice cream, ice and fruit preparations or their derivatives, or where beverages of any kind are retailed for consumption on the premises, drug stores, dis- pensaries, clinics, hospitals, bathhouses, swimming pools, barber shops, beauty parlors, retail stores and establishments, theatres, motion picture houses, airdromes, roof gardens, music halls, race courses, skating rinks, amusement and recreation parks, fairs, bowling alleys, gymnasiums, shoot- ing galleries, billiard and pool parlors, public libraries, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, high schools, academies, colleges and uni- versities, extension courses and all educational institutions under the supervision of this Commonwealth, nonsectarian cemeteries, garages and all public conveyances operated on land or water or in the air as well as the stations, terminals and airports thereof, financial Institutions and all Commonwealth facilities and services, including such facilities and services of all political subdivisions thereof, but shall not include any accommodations which are in their nature distinctly private. * * * (q) The term "permanent hearing examiner" shall mean a full-time employe who is an attorney [or other person knowledgeable in human rela- tions matters designated by the Commission to conduct hearings required to be held under this act. The person knowledgeable in human relations matters must demonstrate such knowledge through a written examination created, developed and administered by the Commission]. * * * (s) The term "commercial profit" means any form of ILLEGIBLE money, or which can be measured in terms of money. Section 3. Section 5 of the act, reenacted, amended or added February 28, 1961 (P.L. 47, No. 19), December 27, 1965 (P.L. 1224, No. 497), Novem- ber 29, 1967 (P.L. 632, No. 291), July 9, 1969 (P.L. 133, No. 56), June 9, 1972 (P.L. 368, No. 102), December 19, 1974 (P.L. 966, No. 318), January 10, ILLEGIBLE (P.L. 1, No. 1), December 9, 1980 (P.L. 1122, No. 198) and April 8, ILLEGIBLE (P.L. 284, No. 80), is amended to read: Section 5. Unlawful Discriminatory Practices.--It shall be an ILLEGIBLE discriminatory practice, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualifi- cation, or in the case of a fraternal corporation or association, unless based upon membership in such association or corporation, or except where based upon applicable security regulations established by the United States or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: (a) For any employer because of the race, color, religious creed, ances- try, age, sex, national origin or non-job related handicap or disability of an individual to refuse to hire or employ, or to bar or to discharge from employ- ment such individual, or to otherwise discriminate against such individual with respect to compensation, hire, tenure, terms, conditions or privileges of employment, if the individual is the best able and most competent to perform the services required. The provision of this paragraph shall not apply, to (1) termination of employment because of the terms or conditions of any bona fide retirement or pension plan, (2) operation of the terms or condition, of any bona fide retirement or pension plan which have the effect of a minimum service requirement, (3) operation of the terms or conditions of any bona fide group or employee insurance plan, (4) age limitations placed upon entry into bona fide apprenticeship programs of two years or more approved by the State Apprenticeship and Training Council of the Department of Labor and Industry, established by the act of July 14, 1961 (P.L. 604, No. ILLEGIBLE), known as "The Apprenticeship and Training Act." Notwithstanding any provision of this clause, it shall not be an unlawful employment practice for a religious corporation or association to hire or employ on the basis of sex in those certain instances where sex is a bona fide occupational qualification because of the religious beliefs, practices, or observances of the corporation, or association. (b) For any employer, employment agency or labor organization, prior to the employment or admission to membership, to (1) Elicit any information or make or keep a record of or use any form of application or application blank containing questions or entries concerning the race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin or past handicap or disability of any applicant for employment or membership. An employer may inquire as to the existence and nature of a present handicap or disability. To determine whether such handicap or disability substantially interferes with the ability to perform the essential function of the employ- 01-01595 ment which is applied for, is being engaged in, or has been engaged in, the employer must inquire beyond the mere existence of a handicap or disability. (2) Print or publish or cause to be printed or published any notice or advertisement relating to employment or membership indicating any prefer- ence, limitation, specification or discrimination based upon race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin or non-job related handicap or disability. (3) Deny or limit, through a quota system, employment or membership because of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, non-job related handicap or disability or place of birth. (4) Substantially confine or limit recruitment or hiring of individuals, with intent to circumvent the spirit and purpose of this act, to any employ- ment agency, employment service, labor organization, training school or training center or any other employee-referring source which services individ- uals who are predominantly of the same race, color, religious creed, ances- try, age, sex, national origin or non-job related handicap or disability. (5) Deny employment because of a prior handicap or disability. Nothing in clause (b) of this section shall bar any institution or organiza- tion for handicapped or disabled persons from limiting or giving preference in employment or membership to handicapped or disabled persons. (c) For any labor organization because of the race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex [or], national origin or non-job related handicap or disability of any individual to deny full and equal membership rights to any individual or otherwise to discriminate against such individuals with respect to hire, tenure, terms, conditions or privileges of employment or any other matter, directly or indirectly, related to employment. (d) For any person, employer, employment agency or labor organization to discriminate in any manner against any individual because such individual has opposed any practice forbidden by this act, or because such individual has made a charge, testified or assisted, in any manner, in any investigation, proceeding or hearing under this act. (c) For any person, [whether or not an] employer, employment agency, labor organization or employe, to aid, abet, incite, compel or coerce the doing of any act declared by this section to be an unlawful discriminatory practice, or to obstruct or prevent any person from complying with the pro- visions of this act or any order issued thereunder, or to attempt, directly or indirectly, to commit any act declared by this section to be an unlawful dis- criminatory practice. (f) For any employment agency to fail or refuse to classify properly, ILLEGIBLE for employment or otherwise to discriminate against any individual because of his race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin or non-job related handicap or disability. (g) For any individual seeking employment to publish or cause to be pub- lished any advertisement which [specifies or in any manner expresses his race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex or national origin, or] in any manner expresses a limitation or preference as to the race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex [or], national origin or non-job related handicap or disability of any prospective employer. (h) For any person to: (1) Refuse to sell, lease, finance or otherwise to deny or withhold [com- mercial housing] any housing accommodation or commercial property from any person because of the race, color, religious creed, ancestry, sex, national origin or handicap or disability of any prospective owner, occupant or user of such [commercial housing,] housing accommodation or commercial property, or to refuse to lease [commercial housing] any housing accommodation or commercial property to any person due to use of a guide [dog] animal because of the blindness or deafness of the user, or use of a support animal because of a physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals. (1.1) Evict or attempt to evict an occupant of any housing accommoda- tion before the end of the term of a lease because of pregnancy or the birth of a child. (2) Refuse to lend money, whether or not secured by mortgage or other- wise for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, repair or maintenance of [commercial housing] any housing accommodation or commercial prop- erty or otherwise withhold financing of [commercial housing] any housing accommodation or commercial property from any person because of the race, color, religious creed, ancestry, sex, national origin [or], handicap or disability or the use of a guide or support animal because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, of any present or prospective owner, occupant or user of such [commercial housing] housing accommodation or commercial property. (3) Discriminate against any person in the terms or conditions of selling or leasing any [commercial housing] housing accommodation or commercial property or in furnishing facilities, services or privileges in connection with the ownership, occupancy or use of any [commercial housing] housing accommodation or commercial property because of the race, color, religious creed, ancestry, sex, national origin [or], handicap or disability or the use of a guide or support animal because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, of any present or prospective owner, occupant or user of such [commercial housing or to discriminate against any person in the terms of leasing any commercial housing or in furnishing facilities, services or privi- leges in connection with the occupancy or use of any commercial housing due to use of a guide dog because of the blindness or deafness of the user] housing accommodation or commercial property. (4) Discriminate against any person in the terms or conditions of any loan of money, whether or not secured by mortgage or otherwise for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, repair or maintenance of [commer- cial housing] housing accommodation or commercial property because of the race, color, religious creed, ancestry, sex, national origin or handicap or disability of any present or prospective owner, occupant or user of [such com- mercial housing] any housing accommodation or commercial property. 01-01596 (5) Print, publish or circulate any statement or advertisement: (i) relating to the sale, lease or acquisition of any [commercial housing] housing accommodation or commercial property or the loan of money, whether or not secured by mortgage, or otherwise for the acquisition, construction, rehabili- tation, repair or maintenance of [commercial housing] any housing accom- modation or commercial property which indicates any preference, limita- tion, specification, or discrimination based upon race, color, religious creed, ancestry, sex, national origin or handicap or disability, or [to print, publish or circulate any statement or advertisement relating to] (ii) relating to the lease of any [commercial dwelling] housing accommodation or commercial property which indicates any preference, limitation, specification or discrim- ination based upon use of a guide [dog] or support animal because of the blindness [or], deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals. (6) Make any inquiry, elicit any information, make or keep any record or use any form of application, containing questions or entries concerning race, color, religious creed, ancestry, sex, national origin or handicap or disability in connection with the sale or lease of any [commercial housing] housing accommodation or commercial property or loan of any money, whether or not secured by mortgage or otherwise for the acquisition, construction, reha- bilitation, repair or maintenance of [commercial housing] any housing accommodation or commercial property, or to make any inquiry, elicit any information, make or keep any record or use any form of application, con- taining questions or entries concerning the use of a guide [dog] or support animal because of the blindness [or], deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, in connection with the lease of any [commercial housing] housing accommoda- tion or commercial property. (i) For any person being the owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superin- tendent, agent or employe of any place of public accommodation, resort or amusement to: (1) Refuse, withhold from, or deny to any person because of his race, color, sex, religious creed, ancestry, national origin or handicap or disability, or to any person due to use of a guide [dog] or support animal because of the blindness [or], deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, either directly or indirectly, any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities or privileges of such place of public accommodation, resort or amusement. (2) Publish, circulate, issue, display, post or mail, either directly or indirectly, any written or printed communication, notice or advertisement to the effect that any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges of any such place shall be refused, withheld from or denied to any person on account of race, color, religious creed, sex, ancestry, national origin or handicap or disability, or to any person due to use of a guide [dog] or support animal because of the blindness [or], deafness or physical handicap of the user, or that the patronage or custom threat of any person, belonging to or purporting to be of any particular race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin or handicap or disability, or to any person due to ILLEGIBLE guide [dog] or support animal because of the blindness [or], deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, is unwelcome, objectionable or not acceptable, desired or solicited. Nothing in clause (h) of this section shall bar any religious or denomi- national institution or organization or any charitable or educational organi- zation, which is operated, supervised or controlled by or in connection with a religious organization or any bona fide private or fraternal organization from giving preference to persons of the same religion or denomination or to members of such private or fraternal organization or from making such selection as is calculated by such organization to promote the religious prin- ciples or the aims, purposes or fraternal principles for which it is established or maintained. Nor shall it apply to the rental of rooms or apartments in a landlord occupied rooming house with a common entrance. (j) For any person subject to the act to fail to post and exhibit promi- nently in his place of business any fair practices notice prepared and distri- buted by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. (k) For any employer to discriminate against an employe or a prospective employe because [he] the employe only has a general education development certificate as compared to a high school diploma. However, should voca- tional technical training or other special training be required with regard to a specific position, then such training or special training may be considered by the employer. This section of the act [as amended] shall not be construed to prohibit the refusal to hire or the dismissal of a person who is not able to function prop- erly in the job applied for or engaged in. Section 4. Section 5.1 of the act, added July 20, 1968 (P.L. 454, No. 213), is amended to read: Section 5.1. Religious Observance: Public Employes.--(a) It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice for any officer, agency or department of the State or any of its political subdivisions, to prohibit, prevent or disqualify any person from, or otherwise to discriminate against any person in, obtaining or holding employment by the State or by any such subdivision, because of [his] such person's observance of any particular day or days or any portion thereof as a sabbath or other holy day in accordance with the requirements of [his] the person's religion. (b) Except as may be required in an emergency or where [his] personal presence is indispensable to the orderly transaction of public business, no person employed by the State or any of its political subdivisions shall be required to remain at [his] the place of employment during any day or days or portion thereof that, as a religious requirement [of his religion, he], the person observes as [his] the sabbath or other holy day, including a reasonable time prior and subsequent thereto for travel between [his] the place of employment and [his] home, provided however, that any such absence from work shall, wherever practicable in the judgment of the employer, be made up by an equivalent amount of time and work at some other mutually convenient 01-01597 nient time, or shall be charged against any leave with pay ordinarily granted, other than sick leave, provided further, however, that any such absence not so made up or charged, may be treated by the employer of such person as leave taken without pay. (c) This section shall not be construed to apply to any position dealing with the public health or safety where the person holding such position must be available for duty whenever needed, or to any position or class of posi- tions the nature and quality of the duties of which are such that the personal presence of the holder of such position is regularly essential on any particular day or days or portion thereof for the normal performance of such duties with respect to any applicant therefor or holder thereof who, as a religious requirement [of his religion], observes such day or days or portion thereof as [his] the sabbath or other holy day. Section 5. Section 5.2(a) of the act, added October 10, 1973 (P.L.278, No.78), is amended to read: Section 5.2. Abortion and Sterilization; Immunity from Requirement to Perform; Unlawful Discriminatory Practices.-(a) No hospital or other health care facility shall be required to, or held liable for refusal to, perform or permit the performance of abortion or sterilization contrary to its stated ethical policy. No physician, nurse, staff member or employee of a hospital or other health care facility, who shall state in writing to such hospital or health care facility [his] an objection to performing, participating in, or cooperating in, abortion or sterilization on moral, religious or professional grounds, shall be required to, or held liable for refusal to, perform, participate in, or cooperate in such abortion or sterilization. *** Section 6. The act is amended by adding a section to read: Section 5.3. Prohibition of Certain Real Estate Practices.-It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice for any person to: (a) Induce, solicit or attempt to induce or solicit for commercial profit any listing, sale or transaction involving any housing accommodation or commercial property by representing that such housing accommodation or commercial property is within any neighborhood, community or area adja- cent to any other area in which there reside, or do not reside, persons of a particular race, color, religious creed, ancestry, sex, national origin, handicap or disability, or who are guide or support animal dependent. (b) Discourage, or attempt to discourage, for commercial profit, the pur- chase or lease of any housing accommodation or commercial property by representing that such housing accommodation or commercial property is within any neighborhood, community or area adjacent to any other area in which there reside, or may in the future reside in increased or decreased numbers, persons of a particular race, color, religious creed, ancestry, sex, national origin, handicap or disability, or who are guide or support animal dependent. (c) Misrepresent, create or distort a circumstance, condition or incident for the purpose of fostering the impression or belief, on the part of any owner, occupant or prospective owner or occupant of any housing accom- modation or commercial property, that such housing accommodation ILLEGIBLE commercial property is within any neighborhood, community or area adja- cent to any other area which would be adversely impacted by the residence, or future increased or decreased residence, of persons of a particular race, color, religious creed, ancestry, sex, national origin, handicap or disability, or who are guide or support animal dependent within such neighborhood, community or area. (d) In any way misrepresent or otherwise misadvertise within a neighbor- hood or community, whether or not in writing, that any housing accommodation or commercial property within such neighborhood or community is available for inspection, sale, lease, sublease or other transfer, in any context where such misrepresentation or misadvertising would have the effect of fostering an impression or belief that there has been or will be an increase in real estate activity within such neighborhood or community due to the residence, or anticipated increased or decreased residence, of persons of a particular race, color, religious creed, ancestry, sex, national origin, handicap or disa- bility, or the use of a guide or support animal because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user. Section 7. Section 6 of the act, amended August 4, 1961 (P.L. 922, No.402), is amended to read: Section 6. Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. There shall be, and there is hereby established in the [Department of Labor and Indus- try] Governor's Office a non-partisan, departmental administrative commis- sion for the administration of this act, which shall be known as the "Penn- sylvania Human Relations Commission," and which is hereinafter referred to as the "Commission." Said Commission shall consist of eleven members, to be known as Com- missioners, who shall be appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of [two thirds of all] a majority of the members of the Senate, not more than six of such Commissioners to be from the same political party, and each of whom shall hold office for a term of five years or until his suc- cessor shall have been duly appointed and qualified[: Provided, however, That in making the first appointments to said Commission one member shall be appointed for a term of one year, two for a term of two years, two for a term of three years, two for a term of four years and two for a term of five years. The two members added to the Commission hereby shall be appointed for terms to run concurrently with the term of the member or his successor who was appointed for a one year term when the Commission was first estab- lished]. Vacancies occurring in an office of a member of the Commission by expiration of term, death, resignation, removal or for any other reason shall be filled in the manner aforesaid for the balance of that term. Commission members failing to attend meetings for three consecutive months shall forfeit their seats unless the chairperson of the commission receives written notifica- tion from the member involved that the absence was due to personal illness or the death or illness of an immediate family member. Subject to the provisions of this act, the Commission shall have all the powers and shall perform the duties generally vested in and imposed upon 01-01598 departmental administrative boards and commissions by the act, approved the ninth day of April, one thousand nine hundred twenty-nine (Pamphlet Laws 177), known as "The Administrative Code of one thousand nine hundred twenty-nine," and its amendments, and shall be subject to all the provisions of such code which apply generally to departmental administra- tive boards and commissions. The Governor shall designate one of the members of the Commission to be its chairman who shall preside at all meetings of the Commission and perform all the duties and functions of the chairman thereof. The Commis- sion may designate one of its members to act as chairman during the absence or incapacity of the chairman and, when so acting, the member so designated shall have and perform all the powers and duties of the chairman of the Commission. Six members of the Commission or a majority of those duly appointed and qualified shall constitute a quorum for transacting business, and a majority vote of those present at any meeting shall be sufficient for any official action taken by the Commission. Each member of the Commission shall receive per diem compensation at the rate of [fifteen dollars ($15)] sixty dollars ($60) per day for the time actu- ally devoted to the business of the Commission. Members shall also receive the amount of reasonable traveling, hotel and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with Common- wealth regulations. The Commission shall adopt an official seal by which its acts and proceed- ings shall be authenticated, and of which the courts shall take judicial notice. The certificate of the chairman of the Commission, under the seal of the Commission and attested by the secretary, shall be accepted in evidence in any judicial proceeding in any court of this Commonwealth as adequate and sufficient proof of the acts and proceedings of the Commission therein certi- fied to. Section 8. Section 7(i), (j) and (k) of the act, amended July 9, 1969 (P.L.133, No. 56) and November 26, 1978 (P.L.1292, No. 309), are amended and the section is amended by adding clauses to read: Section 7. Powers and Duties of the Commission.-The Commission shall have the following powers and duties: *** (c.1) To conduct mandatory training seminars on the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and other applicable Federal and State law procedures and rules for all investigative personnel. (c.2) To afford complainants and respondents the opportunity for com- ments after the final disposition of a complaint. These comments shall be provided to the Commission members. (c.3) To appoint attorneys to perform the following functions: (1) render legal advice to Commission members on matters appearing before it; or (2) give legal assistance to complainants appearing before the Commission or hearing examiners. These responsibilities shall require a separate staff of attorneys to perform each function. *** (i) To create such advisory agencies and conciliation councils, local or state-wide, as will aid in effectuating the purposes of this act. The Commis- sion may itself or it may empower these agencies and councils to (1) study the problems of discrimination in all or specific fields of human relationships when based on race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex [or], national origin or handicap or disability, and (2) foster, through community effort or otherwise, good will among the groups and elements of the population of the State. Such agencies and councils may make recommendations to the Com- mission for the development of policies and procedure in general. Advisory agencies and conciliation councils created by the Commission shall be com- posed of representative citizens, serving without pay, but the Commission may make provision for technical and clerical assistance to such agencies and councils, and for the payment of the expenses of such assistance. (j) To issue such publications and such results of investigations and research as, in its judgment, will tend to promote good will and minimize or eliminate discrimination because of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex [or], national origin or handicap or disability. (k) From time to time but not less than once a year, to report to the [Leg- islature] General Assembly and the Governor describing in detail the investi- gations, proceedings and hearings it has conducted and their outcome, the decisions it has rendered and the other work performed by it, and make rec- ommendations for such further legislation concerning abuses and discrimi- nation because of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex [or], national origin or handicap or disability as may be desirable. *** (m) To submit annually a report to the Labor and Industry Committee of the Senate and the State Government Committee of the House, with a description of the types of complaints received, status of cases, Commission action which has been taken, how many were found to have probable cause, how many were resolved by public hearing and the length of time from the initial complaint to final Commission resolution. (n) To notify local human relations commissions of complaints received by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission involving persons within a commission's jurisdiction. (o) To prepare and publish all findings of fact, conclusions of the law, final decisions and orders made after a public hearing by the hearing examin- ers, Commission panel or full Commission. (p) To give public access to the commission's compliance manual. (q) To preserve opinions rendered by the Commission for five years from the date of publication. Section 9. Section 8 of the act is amended to read: Section 8. Educational Program.- [In order to eliminate prejudice among the various racial, religious and nationality groups in this Commonwealth and to further good will among such groups, the] The Commission, in cooperation with the [Department of Public Instruction] Department of Education, is authorized to prepare a comprehensive educational program, designed for the students of the schools 01-01599 1638 Act 1986 186 LAWS OF PENNSYLVANIA in this Commonwealth and for all other residents thereof, in order to elimi- nate prejudice [against such groups] against and to further good will among all persons, without regard to race, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, handicap or disability. Section 10. Section 9(a), (b), (l) and (g) of the act, amended December 9, 1982 (P.L.1053, No.247), are amended to read: Section 9. Procedure.--(a) Any [Individual] person claiming to be aggrieved by an alleged unlawful discriminatory practice may make, sign and file with the Commission a verified complaint, in writing, which shall state the name and address of the person, employer, labor organization or employment agency alleged to have committed the unlawful discriminatory practice complained of, and which shall set forth the particulars thereof and contain such other information as may be required by the Commission. Commission representatives shall not modify the substance of the complaint. The Commission upon its own initiative or the Attorney General may, in like manner, make, sign and file such complaint. Any employer whose employes, or some of them, hinder or threaten to hinder compliance with the provisions of this act may file with the Commission a verified complaint, asking for assistance by conciliation or other remedial action and, during such period of conciliation or other remedial action, no hearings, orders or other actions shall be taken by the Commission against such employer. (b) (1) After the filing of any complaint, or whenever there is reason to believe that an unlawful discriminatory practice has been committed, the Commission shall make a prompt investigation in connection therewith. (2) The Commission shall send a copy of the complaint to the named respondent within thirty days from the date of docketing the complaint. (3) A respondent shall file a written, verified answer to the complaint within thirty days of service of the complaint. The Commission, upon request of the respondent, may grant an extension of not more than thirty additional days. * * * (l) If, upon all the evidence at the hearing, the Commission shall find that a respondent has engaged in or is engaging in any unlawful discrimina- tory practice as defined in this act, the Commission shall state its findings of fact, and shall issue and cause to be served on such respondent an order requiring such respondent to cease and desist from such unlawful discrimina- tory practice and to take such affirmative action, including, but not limited to, reimbursement of certifiable travel expenses in matters involving the complaint, not to exceed fifty dollars ($50), compensation for loss of work in matters involving the complaint, not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200), hiring, reinstatement or upgrading of employees, with or without back pay, admission or restoration to membership in any respondent labor organization, the making of reasonable accommodations, or selling or leasing specified [commercial housing] housing accommodations or commercial property upon such equal terms and conditions and with such equal facilities, services and privileges or lending money, whether or not secured by mortgage or othnance of [commercial housing] housing accommodations or commercial property, upon such equal terms and conditions to any person discriminated against or all persons as, in the judgment of the Commission, will effectuate the purposes of this act, and including a requirement for report of the manner of compliance. When the respondent is a licensee of the Commonwealth, the Commission shall inform the appropriate State licensing authority of the order with the request that the licensing authority take such action as it deems appropriate against such licensee. An appeal from the Commission's order shall act as a supersedeas and stay such action by the State licensing authority until a final decision on said appeal. If, upon all the evidence, the Commission shall find that a respondent has not engaged in any such unlawful discriminatory practice, the Commission shall state its findings of fact, and shall issue and cause to be served on the complainant an order dismissing the said complaint as to such respondent. (g) The Commission shall establish rules or practice to govern, expedite and effectuate the foregoing procedure and its own actions thereunder. Three or more members of the Commission or a permanent hearing exam- iner designated by the Commission shall constitute the Commission for any hearing required to be held by the Commission under this act. The recom- mended findings, conclusions and order made by said members or perma- nent hearing examiner shall be reviewed and approved or reversed by the Commission before such order may be served upon the parties to the com- plaint. The recommended findings, conclusions and order made by said members or permanent hearing examiner shall become a part of the perma- nent record of the proceeding and shall accompany any order served upon the parties to the complaint. Any complaint filed pursuant to this section must be so filed within [ninety] one hundred eighty days after the alleged act of discrimination. Any complaint may be withdrawn at any time by the party filing the complaint. Section II. Section 12(b) of the act, amended December 19, 1994 (P.L.966, No.318), is amended and the section is amended by adding a sub- section to read: Section 12. Construction and Exclusiveness of Remedy. - * * * (b) Except as provided in subsection (c), nothing contained in this act shall be deemed to repeal or supersede any of the provisions of any existing or hereafter adopted municipal ordinance, municipal charter or of any law of this Commonwealth relating to discrimination because of race, color, reli- gious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin or handicap or disability, but as to acts declared unlawful by section five of this act the procedure herein provided shall, when invoked, be exclusive and the final determination therein shall exclude any other action, civil or criminal, based on the same grievance of the complainant concerned. If [such] the complainant institutes any action based on such grievance without resorting to the procedure pro- vided in this act, [he] such complainant may not subsequently resort to the procedure herein. In the event of a conflict between the interpretation of a ILLEGIBLE of this ILLEGIBLE and the interpretation of a similar provision contained 01-01600 in any municipal ordinance, the interpretation of the provision in this act shall apply to such municipal ordinance. * * * (c.1) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (c) or any other provision of this act, nothing in this act shall be deemed to authorize imposition by the Commission of remedial quota relief in cases involving hiring or promoting of employees of the Commonwealth, its agencies or instrumentalities or employees of local governments and school districts in this Commonwealth. This subsection shall not, however, prohibit the voluntary adoption of an affirmative action plan designed to assure that all persons are accorded equality of opportunity in employment. * * * Section 12. Section 12.1 of the act is amended by adding a clause to read: Section 12.1. Local Human Relations Commissions.--* * * (e) The local human relations commission shall notify the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission of complaints received involving discrimina- tory acts within that commission's jurisdiction. Section 13. This act, with respect to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, constitutes the legislation required to reestablish an agency under the act of December 22, 1981 (P.L.508, No. 142), known as the Sunset Act. Section 14. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission shall con- tinue together with its statutory functions and duties until December 31, 1991, when it shall terminate and go out of existence unless reestablished or continued by the General Assembly for an additional ten years. Evaluation and review, termination, reestablishment and continuation of the agency beyond December 31, 1991, and every tenth year thereafter, shall be con- ducted pursuant to the act of December 22, 1981 (P.L.508, No.142), known as the Sunset Act. Section 15. The presently confirmed members of the existing Pennsyl- vania Human Relations Commission, as of December 31, 1986, shall con- tinue to serve as members until their present terms of office expire and until their successors are appointed and qualified. Section 16. Each rule and regulation of the Pennsylvania Human Rela- tions Commission in effect on December 31, 1986, shall remain in effect until repealed or amended by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. Section 17. This act shall be retroactive to December 31, 1986, if enacted after that date. Section 18. This act shall take effect immediately. APPROVED - The 16th day of December, A.D. 1986. DICK THORNBURGH No. 1986-187 AN ACT HB 241 Providing for the operation of vending facilities by licensed blind persons: creating a Committee of Blind Vendors; granting powers to and imposing duties upon the committee; and granting powers to and imposing duties upon an administrative unit in the Department of Public Welfare. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as the Little Randolph Sheppard Act. Section 2. Definitions. The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Blind person." A person whose central acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with correcting lenses or whose visual acuity, if better than 20/200, is accompanied by a limit of the field of vision in the better eye to a degree that its widest diameter subtends an angle of no greater than 20 degrees. In determining whether an individual is blind, there shall be an examination by a physician skilled in diseases of the eye or by an optome- trist. "Bureau" or "Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services." The adminis- trative unit in the department, under the commissioner, which provides ser- vices to the blind and visually impaired. "Commissioner." The Commissioner of the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services of the department. "Committee." The Committee of Blind Vendors established by section 3. "Department." The Department of Public Welfare of the Common- wealth. "Rental fee." The fee fixed by the commissioner and the committee for the rental of the snack bar location and equipment. "State property." Property owned or leased by the State government or an agency of the State government and designated by the bureau as appropri- ate for participation in the Business Enterprise Program. The definition shall not include property which is owned or leased for: (1) Rest, recreation and safety rest areas on the national system of interstate and defense highways. (2) Institutions of higher learning except as provided in section 9. (3) Institutions of the Department of Corrections. 01-01601