New Jersey school fined $10,000 for service dog ban

See article on WTOP

June 24, 2014

Education News

(AP) ) -- The Justice Department has reached a settlement with a New Jersey school district resolving allegations that a student was denied use of his service dog for school-related activities.

The agreement says the Delran Township School District must pay $10,000 to the student's family and adopt a service animal policy compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Federal authorities say the student uses the dog to alert to his seizures, provide mobility and body support, and mitigate symptoms of autism. He was prevented from bringing his dog on the school bus or to school activities.

The Justice Department says the student's mother spent months responding to burdensome requests for information and documentation to no avail. The agency says the district cooperated with the investigation.

A school spokesman wasn't available for comment.