2023 -- H 5505

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LC001415

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

     RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- ANIMAL CARE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Serpa, Phillips, J. Brien, Fellela, Casimiro, and
Costantino

     Date Introduced: February 10, 2023

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 4-19 of the General Laws entitled "Animal Care" is hereby amended

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by adding thereto the following section:

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     4-19-25. Pets for elder persons.

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     (a) A public animal shelter shall not charge an adoption fee for a dog or cat if the person

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adopting the dog or cat presents to the public animal shelter a current and valid driver's license or

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any other identification document including passports, original birth certificate, REAL ID, or state-

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issued identification card that identifies them as being sixty (60) years of age or older.

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     (b) A public animal shelter may limit the dogs or cats adopted from that public animal

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shelter pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to only animals that have passed sexual maturity

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pursuant to § 4-19-2.

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     (c) A public animal shelter may limit the number of dogs or cats adopted from that public

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animal shelter pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to one dog or cat during a period of every

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six (6) months per elder person pursuant to the provisions of § 4-13-44.

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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 -- ANIMAL CARE

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     This act would waive the adoption fee for a dog or cat at a public animal shelter for any

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person sixty (60) years or older. The adoption of the animal is limited to those that have passed

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sexual maturity and the shelter may limit the number of dogs and cats that are adopted.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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