2023 -- H 5258

========

LC000655

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- TRADE IN ANIMAL FUR PRODUCTS ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Kazarian, Serpa, Potter, and Stewart

     Date Introduced: January 27, 2023

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 11 of the General Laws entitled "CRIMINAL OFFENSES" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 71

TRADE IN ANIMAL FUR PRODUCTS ACT

     11-71-1. Purpose..

     The general assembly finds and declares that:

     (1) Animals that are slaughtered for their fur endure tremendous suffering. Animals raised

on fur farms typically spend their entire lives in cramped and filthy cages. Fur farmers typically

use the cheapest killing methods available, including suffocation, electrocution, gas and poison.

     (2) Fur farms are reservoirs and transmission vectors for dangerous zoonotic diseases,

including SARS coronaviruses that threaten public health. COVID-19 infections have been

confirmed at fur farms in Europe and North America, and scientific studies have linked mink,

raccoon dogs and foxes, the animals most commonly farmed for their fur, to a variety of corona

viruses.

     (3) The fur production process is energy intensive and has a significant environmental

impact, including air and water pollution. Runoff from the fur production process contains high

concentrations of phosphorous and nitrogen, which are the most common forms of water pollution

in the United States, including in Rhode Island. In addition, the tanning and dying processes used

in fur production use toxic chemicals and heavy metals like chromium and formaldehyde.

     (4) Considering the wide array of alternatives for fashion and apparel, the general assembly

finds that the demand for fur products does not justify the unnecessary killing and cruel treatment

of animals, harm to the environment, and the public health risks to the people of Rhode Island

caused by these practices.

     (5) The general assembly believes that eliminating the sale of fur products in the State of

Rhode Island will decrease the demand for these cruel and environmentally harmful products and

will promote community awareness of animal welfare and, in turn, will foster a more humane

environment in Rhode Island and enhance the reputation of the state.

     11-71-2. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

     (1) "Fur" means any animal skin or part thereof with hair, fleece, or fur fibers attached

thereto, either in its raw or processed state.

     (2)(i) "Fur product" means any article of clothing or covering for any part of the body, or

any fashion accessory, including, but not limited to, handbags, shoes, slippers, hats, earmuffs,

scarves, shawls, gloves, jewelry, key chains, toys or trinkets and home accessories and decor that

is made in whole or in part of fur.

     (ii) "Fur product" shall not mean any of the following:

     (A) Any animal skin or part thereof that is to be converted into leather, or which in

processing will have the hair, fleece, or fur fiber completely removed;

     (B) Cowhide with the hair attached;

     (C) Lambskin or sheepskin with the fleece attached thereto; or

     (D) The pelt or skin of any animal that is preserved through taxidermy or for the purpose

of taxidermy.

     (3) "Nonprofit organization" means any corporation that is organized under section

50l(c)(3) of title 26 of the United States Code that is created for charitable, religious, philanthropic,

educational, or similar purposes.

     (4) "Taxidermy" means the practice of preparing and preserving the skin of an animal that

is deceased and stuffing and mounting it in lifelike form.

     (5) "Ultimate consumer" means a person who buys for their own use, or for the use of

another but not for resale or trade.

     (6) "Used fur product" means a fur product that has been worn or used by an ultimate

consumer.

     11-71-3. Prohibition.

     It is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, display for sale, trade, or otherwise distribute for

LC000655 - Page 2 of 4

monetary or non-monetary consideration a fur product in the State of Rhode Island.

     11-71-4. Exemptions.

     The prohibition set forth in § 11-71-3, shall not apply to the sale, offer for sale, displaying

for sale, trade, or distribution of:

     (1) A used product by an individual, excluding a retail transaction, nonprofit organization

or second hand store, including a pawn shop;

     (2) A fur product required for use in the practice of a religion; or

     (3) Fur product that is expressly authorized by federal or state law.

     11-71-5. Penalty.

     (a) Any person convicted of violating this chapter shall be subject to the following

penalties:

     (1) For a first violation, a civil penalty of up to five hundred dollars ($500);

     (2) For a second violation that occurred within one year of a previous violation, a civil

penalty of up to seven hundred fifty dollars ($750);

     (3) For a third violation that occurred within one year of a second violation, a civil penalty

of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000).

     (b) Each fur product that constitutes a violation of this chapter shall be treated as a separate

violation in a civil action brought pursuant to this chapter.

     11-71-6. Severability.

     If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is

held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision or application which can be given

effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are

declared to be severable.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect four (4) years after passage.

========

LC000655

========

LC000655 - Page 3 of 4

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- TRADE IN ANIMAL FUR PRODUCTS ACT

***

     This act would prohibit the sale, offer of sale, trade or distribution of fur products as defined

and would make violations punishable by a civil fine.

     This act would take effect four (4) years after passage.

========

LC000655

========

LC000655 - Page 4 of 4