137
THE SENATE                           S.C.R. NO.            
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                    SENATE  CONCURRENT
                        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   

 
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                                  S.C.R. NO.            
                                                        
                                                        


 1        WHEREAS, under the federal Fair Housing Act, a resident
 2   may keep a pet in a "no pets" apartment as long as the resident
 3   provides to the apartment management or to the board of
 4   directors of the owners association, medical evidence or a
 5   physician's certification or letter that:
 6   
 7        (1)  The resident has a physical or mental impairment that
 8             substantially limits one or more of the resident's
 9             major life activities;
10   
11        (2)  Has a record of having such impairment; or
12   
13        (3)  Is regarded as having such impairment and that
14             allowing the resident to have a pet would be a
15             reasonable and necessary accommodation for the
16             resident's equal opportunity to use and enjoy the
17             apartment;
18   
19   now, therefore,
20   
21        BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twentieth Legislature
22   of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2000, the House of
23   Representatives concurring, that landlords and associations of
24   apartment owners are urged to support tenants who depend on
25   pets for physical and mental health reasons; and
26   
27        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that apartment residents with pets
28   are equally urged to respect the rights of their neighbors and
29   to properly control and care for their pets; and
30   
31        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that landlords, association of
32   apartment owners, and tenants with and without pets, are urged
33   to work together to provide for the needs of all landlords,
34   owners, and tenants; and
35   
36        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this
37   Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Honolulu Board of
38   Realtors, the Hawaii Council of Associations of Apartment
39   Owners, and residential property management companies.
40 
41 
42 
43                         OFFERED BY:  ____________________________