2015 -- H 5505

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LC001078

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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 ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- ANIMAL CARE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Serpa, Shekarchi, O'Brien, Kazarian, and McKiernan

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2015

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Sections 4-1.1-1, 4-1.1-2, 4-1.1-3, 4-1.1-4 and 4-1.1-5 of the General Laws

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in Chapter 4-1.1 entitled "Unlawful Confinement of a Covered Animal" are hereby amended to

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read as follows:

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     4-1.1-1. Definitions. -- For the purposes of this chapter:

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      (1) "Calf raised for veal" means a calf of the bovine species kept for the purpose of

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producing the food product referred to as veal.

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      (2) "Crate" means a "gestation crate" for sows or a "veal crate" for calves.

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     (2) “Covered animal” means any sow during gestation, calf raised for veal, or egg-laying

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hen that is kept on a farm.

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     (3) “Egg-laying hen” means any female domesticated chicken, turkey, duck, goose, or

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guinea fowl kept for the purpose of egg production.

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     (4) “Enclosure” means any cage, crate, or other structure used to confine a covered

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animal. Enclosure includes what is commonly described as a “gestation crate or stall” for sows

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during gestation, a “veal crate” for calves raised for veal, or a “battery cage” for egg-laying hens.

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      (3)(5) "Farm" means the land, building, support facilities, and other equipment that are

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wholly or partially used for the commercial production of animals or animal products used for

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food or fiber; and does not include live animal markets.

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      (4)(6) "Farm owner or operator" means any person who owns or controls the operation

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of a farm, and does not include any non-management employee, contractor, or consultant.

 

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      (5)(7) "Fully extending the animal's limbs" means fully extending all limbs without

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touching the side of an enclosure. In the case of egg-laying hens, "fully extending the animal’s

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limbs" means fully spreading both wings without touching the side of an enclosure or other egg-

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laying hens and having access to at least two hundred sixteen (216) square inches of usable floor

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space per hen.

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      (6)(8) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association,

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limited liability company, corporation, estate, trust, receiver, or syndicate.

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      (7)(9) "Sow during gestation" means a pregnant pig of the porcine species kept for the

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purpose of breeding.

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      (8)(10) "Turning around freely" means turning in a complete circle without any

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impediment including a tether, and without touching the side of a crate an enclosure or another

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animal.

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     4-1.1-2. Purpose. -- The purpose of this chapter, subject to exceptions set forth in § 4-

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1.1-4, is to prohibit the confinement of calves raised for veal and sows during gestation a covered

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animal in a manner that prevents the animal from turning around fully, lying down, standing up or

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fully extending the animal’s limbs.

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     4-1.1-3. Unlawful confinement. -- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person

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is guilty of unlawful confinement of a sow or calf covered animal if the person is a farm owner or

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operator who knowingly tethers or confines any sow or calf covered animal in a manner that

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prevents such animal from turning around freely, lying down, standing up, or fully extending the

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animal's limbs.

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     4-1.1-4. Exceptions. -- This section shall not apply:

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      (1) During medical research.

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      (2) Temporary confinement prior to and during examination, testing, individual

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treatment or operation for veterinary purposes.

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      (3) During transportation.

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      (4) During rodeo exhibitions, state or county fair exhibitions, 4-H programs, and similar

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exhibitions or educational programs.

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      (5) During temporary confinement for animal husbandry purposes for no more than six

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(6) hours in any twenty-four (24) hour period unless ordered by a licensed veterinarian.

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      (6) During the humane slaughter of a sow or pig covered animal accordance with the

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provisions of chapter 4-17, and other applicable laws and regulations.

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      (7) To a sow during the fourteen (14) day period prior to the sows expected date of

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giving birth and extending for a duration of time until the piglets are weaned. This period may be

 

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modified upon the order of a licensed veterinarian.

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      (8) To calves being trained to exhibit.

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      (9) To calves being trained to accept routine confinement in dairy and beef housing.

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     4-1.1-5. Penalty. -- (a) The provisions of this chapter are in addition to, and not in lieu of,

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any other laws protecting animal welfare. This chapter may not be construed to limit any other

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state laws or rules protecting the welfare of animals or to prevent a local governing body from

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adopting and enforcing its own animal welfare laws and regulations.

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      (b) It is not an affirmative defense to alleged violations of this chapter that the calf or

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sow covered animal was kept as part of an agricultural operation and in accordance with

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customary animal husbandry or farming practices.

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      (c) Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter or any rules or regulations

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promulgated hereunder shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor exceeding five

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hundred dollars ($500), or both.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect one year after its passage and enactment.

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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 make changes in the definitions of what constitutes unlawful confinement,

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and would apply them throughout the chapter accordingly.

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     This act would take effect one year after its passage and enactment.

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