LOUISIANA

Louisiana White Cane Law: Chapter 23, Acts of 1982, No. 518, Section 1,
R.S. 46:1951 through 46:1954; Penalty - Acts of 1962, No. 33, Section
1, R.S. 21:52, amended in 1981

Louisiana statutes guarantee a blind person the legal right to be
accompanied by a dog guide trained by a dog guide school in all places
of public accommodations and on all public conveyances.  The dog may not
occupy a seat and the dog guide user should have his identification card
with him or her which was furnished by the school that trained the dog. 
A dog guide user also has a legal right to equal housing accommodations
in regard to both rentals and sales.

A blind person also has a legal right to equal employment opportunity
in state service or service of the political subdivision, including
public schools and all other employment supported in whole or in part
by public funds.

Public accommodations include hotels, lodging places, restaurants,
stores, places of resort and amusement, and all other places to which
the public is invited. (R.S. 46:1952)

Public conveyances include trains, buses, airplanes, taxis, streetcars,
boats, and all other common carriers. (R.S. 46:1952)

Housing includes any real property or portion thereof which has been
offered for rent, lease or compensation as a home, residence or sleeping
place, but shall not include single-family residences which offer not
more than one room for rent, lease or furnish for compensation. (R.S.
46:1953)

Violation: Any person, firm or corporation who interferes with the above
rights is guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine not to exceed
$500, or imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, or both.  In addition, the
blind individual who has been discriminated against may sue for $500
damages for each offense in any court of competent jurisdiction. (R.S.
21:52)
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