SPOKANE, Wash. — Vanessa R. Waldref, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Inland Northwest Behavioral Health will pay $10,000 in compensatory damages and implement remedial measures over the next two years to address alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
A former patient claimed he was improperly required to provide documentation for a service animal, denied indoor visitation with the animal, and segregated from other patients while using it.
As part of the settlement, Inland Northwest Behavioral Health must:
Implement a written service animal policy.Provide annual ADA training for employees.Post notices indicating service animals are welcome.Submit annual compliance reports for two years and self-report any violations.
“The Americans with Disabilities Act provides protections for individuals, including the use of service animals,” Waldref said. “My office will continue to protect the civil rights of all citizens in our district.”
The settlement follows a complaint filed on ADA.gov and an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The public can report suspected ADA violations at ADA.gov or contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office directly.
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