TEXAS

Texas Statutes, Title 8, Chapter 121, Sections 121.001
through 121.009, amended 1985

The Texas anti-discrimination statutes guarantee a
blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a
specially trained dog guide in harness in all public
facilities.  A dog guide user has a legal right to
equal housing accommodation in all housing offered for
rent, lease or compensation.  The landlord need not
modify the premises, nor is a higher standard of care
required than that provided other tenants.  No extra
fee can be levied because of the dog guide's presence,
but the dog guide user is liable for any damage the
dog might do to the premises.  Equal employment
opportunity is also guaranteed, except where the
visual impairment prevents performance of the work
involved.

Under Texas statutory law definition of public
facilities includes hotels, stores, restaurants,
college dormitories, places of resort, recreation and
amusement, public buildings, railroads, buses, boats,
airplanes, taxis, and all other common carriers or
places to which the public is invited.  (*121.002,
*121.003)

Housing accommodations include any real property, in
whole or in part, which is designed or used as a home,
residence, or sleeping place, except for a single-
family dwelling, the occupants of which offer for rent
no more than one room.  (*121.003)

Violation: Any person, firm, association, or agent
thereof who interferes with the above enumerated
rights is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable by
a fine of not less than $100 or more than $300.  In
addition, the dog guide user whose civil rights have
been violated may proceed in any court of competent
jurisdiction to recover personal damages with the
presumption that at least $100 worth of damage has
been sustained.  (*121.004)