AB-468, would require that a client have a relationship with their health practitioner for a minimum of 30 days before that practitioner can provide them with documentation allowing them to officially obtain or certify their Emotional Support Animal. Therefore, individuals with real health needs would be discriminated against by making it significantly harder for them to get into housing with their Emotional Support Animals.

AB-468 seeks to undermine the advancements and the breakthroughs in mental health care that we saw because of the pandemic. The ramifications of it are especially important for what it means to individuals being able to find housing. For those seeking help, potentially on the verge of breakdown, it could catapult them into housing insecurity or worse yet, a full-fledged mental health crisis. It is such a great disservice to those seeking help and could very well be the tipping point of a negative spiral that is completely avoidable with quick access to the appropriate care and treatment.

The new CA ESA Bill was authored by and introduced to the legislature by Assembly Member Laura Friedman (Coauthors: Senators Archuleta, Bates, Jones, and Newman). It’s worth noting that Laura Friedman’s campaign was financially supported by the California Apartment Association.

Is it coincidence that someone like Friedman would author and propose a bill making it more difficult for people to maintain their existing rights concerning their support animal while making it easier for landlords to classify these ESAs as “pets” thereby charging what many consider to be “pet rent”?

Since AB-468 was lobbied for by the California Apartment Association. It’s apparent that the CAA is only looking to protect their bottom line. It’s unfortunate and sad to us that the CA State Legislature would support this kind of bill. It only introduces more barriers in the field of mental health care that is already so stigmatized. For many people, just taking the first step to getting help is such a big deal. Those are the people that we’re here for. And we’re going to continue to fight for and provide the best services for them.

Emotional Support Animals are considered a holistic solution to addressing the impacts of mental illness, as opposed to prescription medicine. We are petitioning to stop the discrimination outlined in AB-468. This new 30-day time frame could negatively impact the impending and legitimate need for an individual to receive the mental and emotional help needed by introducing very real challenges in the areas of housing and travel.