TENNESSEE White Cane Law

Law:

Tennessee Statutes, Acts of 1955, Title 62, Chapter 7, Sections 62-7-112; 55-8- 180; and 40-35-111 Tennessee statutory law guarantees a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in harness in all public accommodations and on all public conveyances. A dog guide user is also guaranteed the legal right to all housing accommodations. No extra charge can be levied because of the dog guide's presence, but the dog guide user is liable for any damage the dog might cause to the premises. The dog guide user may be requested to present for inspection the identification card furnished by a dog guide training institution to their graduates.

Public Accommodations:

Public accommodations under Tennessee law include such facilities as stores, theaters, motion picture houses, elevators, public transportation, restaurants, hotels, public educational institutions, and other places to which the general public is invited.

Pedestrians:

(Sect. 62-7-112): A pedestrian being led by a dog guide has the right-of-way crossing a public street.

Violation:

(Sect. 55-8-180) Violation: Anyone who interferes with the above-enumerated legal rights is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Sect. 40-35-111)

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