2015 -- H 6094

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LC002431

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - DEPARTMENT OF

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - PETS

     Introduced By: Representatives Trillo, Shekarchi, Costa, Chippendale, and Giarrusso

     Date Introduced: April 16, 2015

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 42-17.1-45 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-17.1 entitled

"Department of Environmental Management" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-17.1-45. No prohibition on pets. -- (a) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter

to the contrary, the department shall not promulgate or enforce any rule or regulation that would

prohibit a pet dog or cat from accompanying its owner or caretaker at any state owned

campground.

     (b) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the department shall not

promulgate, or enforce any rule or regulation that would prohibit any domesticated birds, turtles

weighing less than two (2) pounds, gerbils, and goldfish from accompanying its owner or

caretaker at any state owned campground, provided that such domesticated birds, turtles, gerbils,

or goldfish are confined in a motor vehicle or camper occupying a portion of the campground.

     (c) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, nothing in this section

shall prohibit a department of environmental management employee from deeming a pet a

nuisance and requiring its owner or caretaker to remove it from any state-owned campground.

     (b)(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, nothing in this

section shall be deemed to allow pets within any state beach facility that includes a bathing beach

licensed by the department of health pursuant to chapter 21 of title 23, unless the bathing beach

portion of the facility is sufficiently isolated from other public areas within the facility.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - DEPARTMENT OF

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - PETS

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     This act would allow domesticated birds, small turtles, gerbils, and goldfish to

accompany their owners at state-owned campgrounds.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002431

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