Lawmakers want service dogs at work

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - District 22 Senator Ron Alting plans to introduce a civil rights bill for the blind this week.

Alting said the bill would allow service animals to accompany their visually impaired partners to work.

He said the country has progressed too far for everyone not to have basic civil rights.

"This bill will put in strict penalties and fines to those employers that discriminate [against] people who unfortunately cannot see. It just amazes me in the year 2009, when this country put in office, the highest office, a black, African American. That we're still fighting for the basic civil rights of those individuals that are, in my opinion, less fortunate," said Sen. Alting.

District 27 Representative Sheila Klinker said the bill, which originated in the House, supports what's been happening in the Lafayette area already.

"I can remember Debbie, being the first person you met at Lafayette School Corporation and she had a seeing eye dog right next to her. I was very pleased to see that because it showed that people were very considerate of folks who had a sight problem," said Rep. Klinker.

Businesses could face up to $500 in fines.

Alting said the bill comes from a Hoosier who was trained with a seeing eye dog with the clearance from his boss. The boss later decided against having the service dog accompany the visually impaired worker to the business.