Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a bill into law on Thursday, May 8, giving service dogs in training the same protections and support as active service dogs. This affects HOAs that have rules that disallow dogs on the property.

The Governor signed the bill alongside bill authors Senator Bonnie Westlin and Representative Cedrick Frazier, advocates, and service dogs Mato and Flint.

“Service dogs are vital to the many Minnesotans who depend on their services,” said Governor Walz. “This bill ensures service dogs in training can live with their trainers, who dedicate hundreds of hours working with these animals to ensure they can do their jobs reliably once they’re matched with a client and placed in their forever home.”

Chapter 16 House File 688 modifies service dog provisions in housing accommodations, ensuring service dogs in training are exempt from HOA and apartment rules that don’t allow dogs. Currently, only active service dogs are covered under the law.