2019 -- S 0481

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LC001137

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

     

     Introduced By: Senators Morgan, Paolino, de la Cruz, and Rogers

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 4-1-40 of the General Laws in Chapter 4-1 entitled "Cruelty to

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Animals" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     4-1-40. Possession of animals.

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     (a) In addition to any other penalty imposed by law, a person convicted of, or who

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entered a plea of nolo contendere to, any misdemeanor violation under the provisions of this

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chapter shall be sentenced to, not possess, care for or reside with any companion animal for a an

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indefinite period of up to or a specified period of not less than five (5) years following entry of

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the conviction or upon acceptance of a plea of nolo contendere by the court. Any offense under

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this subsection is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars

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($1,000), by imprisonment for a term not more than one year, or both, and forfeiture of the

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animal(s).

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     (b) In addition to any other penalty imposed by law, a person convicted of, or who

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entered a plea of nolo contendere to, any felony violation under the provisions of this chapter

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shall be sentenced to, not possess, care for or reside with any companion animal for a an

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indefinite period of up to or a specified period of not less than fifteen (15) years following entry

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of the conviction or upon acceptance of a plea of nolo contendere by the court. Any offense under

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this subsection is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars

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($1,000), by imprisonment for a term not more than one year, or both, and forfeiture of the

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animal(s).

 

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     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 ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

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     This act would provide that persons convicted of misdemeanor animal cruelty not possess

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companion animals for a minimum of five (5) years to a maximum of indefinite ban on

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possession. For a felony animal cruelty conviction the period of prohibition is fifteen (15) years to

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an indefinite ban.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001137

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