New York statute
N.Y. Penal Law § 242.00 — Definitions
Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
Part of Article 242: Offenses Against Service Animals and Handlers, New York Penal Law.
Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 242.00
Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.
242.00 Definitions.
For purposes of this article:
1. "Service animal" shall mean any animal that has been partnered with
a person who has a disability and has been trained or is being trained,
by a qualified person, to aid or guide a person with a disability.
2. "Disability" shall have the same meaning as provided in section two
hundred ninety-two of the executive law.
3. "Handler" shall mean a disabled person using a service animal.
4. "Formal training program" or "certified trainer" shall mean an
institution, group or individual who has documentation and community
recognition as a provider of service animals.
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