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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>From: <a href="http://www.wzzm13.com/story/news/local/2016/01/14/new-law-updating-service-animal-rules-takes-effect-soon/78812092/">http://www.wzzm13.com/story/news/local/2016/01/14/new-law-updating-service-animal-rules-takes-effect-soon/78812092/</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p><span lang=EN>GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) -- Next week, a new state law goes into effect updating Michigan's rules on service animals.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang=EN>The state's Department of Civil Rights held a news conference in Grand Rapids Thursday to outline the new law. It provides a chance for people who use service animals to register them with the state. Once registered, those people will receive an official state patch that can be attached to the harness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang=EN>That will make it easier for businesses to determine who is entitled to a service animal accommodation, said the state's Americans with Disabilities Act compliance director Sharon Ellis.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang=EN>"It's going to be so much easier not only to have your service animal by your side, but you'll have the peace of mind to have the state of Michigan by your side also," Ellis said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p><span lang=EN>The law also stiffens penalties for people who falsely say their pet is a service animal.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang=EN>It takes effect on Monday.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>