98
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES             H.R. NO.              H.D. 1
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                     HOUSE  RESOLUTION
  URGING LANDLORDS, ASSOCIATIONS OF APARTMENT OWNERS, AND TENANTS
    WITH AND WITHOUT PETS, TO RESPECT EACH OTHERS' RIGHTS AND
    TO WORK TOGETHER TO PROVIDE FOR THE NEEDS OF ALL OWNERS
    AND TENANTS.



 1        WHEREAS, research from social and medical sciences
 2   confirms that companion animals can and do meaningfully improve
 3   a person's health and happiness; and
 4   
 5        WHEREAS, gently stroking a pet can reduce stress and lower
 6   blood pressure; and
 7   
 8        WHEREAS, pets promote vitality through active exercise or
 9   quiet therapy for disabled hands, and opportunities for
10   socialization; and
11   
12        WHEREAS, ninety-six per cent of Oahu residents believe
13   animal companionship is an important consideration in quality
14   of life, and in addition, fifty-six per cent of the households
15   on Oahu have a pet; and
16   
17        WHEREAS, pet owners cannot reasonably or responsibly
18   ignore the impact their animals may have on their neighbors;
19   and
20   
21        WHEREAS, providing for a pet's physical needs and caring
22   for them with love and commitment are the first requirement of
23   a responsible pet owner; and
24   
25        WHEREAS, the Hawaiian Humane Society has set forth
26   guidelines for responsible pet ownership; and
27   
28        WHEREAS, the Hawaiian Humane Society has also developed a
29   checklist for landlords to identify responsible pet owners
30   coupled with a suggested "Pet Addendum to Rental Agreement";
31   and
32        WHEREAS, under chapter 515, Hawaii Revised Statutes,
33   Discrimination in Real Property Transactions, a resident may
34   keep a guide, signal, or service dog in a "no pets" apartment
35   as long as the resident provides to the apartment management or
36   to the board of directors of the owners association, medical
37   evidence or a physician's certification or letter that:

 
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                                  H.R. NO.              H.D. 1
                                                        
                                                        


 1        (1)  The resident has a physical or mental impairment that
 2             substantially limits one or more of the resident's
 3             major life activities;
 4   
 5        (2)  Has a record of having such impairment; or
 6   
 7        (3)  Is regarded as having such impairment and that
 8             allowing the resident to have a pet would be a
 9             reasonable and necessary accommodation for the
10             resident's equal opportunity to use and enjoy the
11             apartment;
12   
13   now, therefore,
14   
15        BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the
16   Twentieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session
17   of 2000, that landlords and associations of apartment owners
18   are urged to support tenants who depend on pets for physical
19   and mental health reasons; and
20   
21        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that apartment residents with pets
22   are equally urged to respect the rights of their neighbors and
23   to properly control and care for their pets; and
24   
25        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that landlords, association of
26   apartment owners, and tenants with and without pets, are urged
27   to work together to provide for the needs of all landlords,
28   owners, and tenants; and
29   
30        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this
31   Resolution be transmitted to the Honolulu Board of Realtors,
32   the Hawaii Council of Associations of Apartment Owners, and
33   residential property management companies.