2019 -- H 5265

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LC001213

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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 -- THE ANIMAL RIGHTS

ADVISORY COUNCIL

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Lima, Noret, Donovan, and Ackerman

     Date Introduced: February 01, 2019

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 4-1 of the General Laws entitled "Cruelty to Animals" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     4-1-44. Animal rights advisory council established.

     (a) There is hereby created and established an advisory council to be known as "The

Rhode Island animal rights advisory council" (the "council"). The purpose of the council shall be

to advise the governor and the general assembly on matters relating to animal rights, treatment,

health, and abuse, and to provide recommendations on how best to promote the health and safety

of all animals in the state.

     (b) The council shall consist of sixteen (16) members as follows:

     (1) The director of the department of health, or designee;

     (2) The director of the department of environmental management, or designee;

     (3) The Rhode Island state veterinarian; or designee;

     (4) A family court magistrate, to be appointed by the governor;

     (5) A representative from the Potter League for Animals, to be appointed by the league's

governing body;

     (6) An animal control officer employed by a municipality within the state, to be

appointed by the governor;

     (7) A representative from the Providence Animal Rescue League, to be appointed by the

league's governing body;

     (8) A representative from the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to

Animals, to be appointed by the society's governing body;

     (9) A representative from the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association, to be

appointed by the association's governing body;

     (10) A representative from Friends of Homeless Animals, to be appointed by the

organization's governing body;

     (11) A representative from the RIVMA Companion Animal Foundation, to be appointed

by the foundation's governing body;

     (12) A representative from The Rhode Island Horsemen's Association, to be appointed by

the association's governing body;

     (13) A representative from the Defenders of Animals, Inc., to be appointed by the

organization's governing body;

     (14) A representative from the Rhode Island Kennel Club, to be appointed by the club's

local governing body;

     (15) A representative from PawsWatch, to be appointed by the organization's governing

body; and

     (16) A representative from Volunteer Services for Animals, to be appointed by the

organization's governing body.

     (c) The membership of the council shall receive no compensation for their services.

     (d) Commencing on December 1, 2019, and in the month of December of each year

thereafter, the council shall submit a written report to the governor and to the general assembly

detailing its activities in that year and providing recommendations on matters relating to animal

rights, treatment and abuse, and on how best to promote and enhance the health and safety of all

animals in the state.

     (e) The members of the council appointed pursuant to §§ 4-1-44(b)(1) through (b)(3)

shall serve on the council so long as they hold their position. The family court magistrate shall

serve on the council for a term of five (5) years and may be reappointed by the governor. The

remaining members shall be appointed to the council for terms of four (4) years, except that the

initial terms of those members shall be as follows: six (6) members appointed pursuant to §§ 4-1-

44(b)(5) through (b)(10) shall serve an initial term of three (3) years; and six (6) members

appointed pursuant to §§ 4-1-44(b)(11) through (b)(16) shall serve initial terms of two (2) years.

Any member may be reappointed. Any vacancy in the office of a member shall be filled in the

same manner as provided for the original appointment, and any such appointment shall be for the

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balance of the then current term of that office.

     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 -- THE ANIMAL RIGHTS

ADVISORY COUNCIL

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     This act would establish an animal rights advisory council to advise the governor and the

general assembly on matters relating to animal rights, treatment, health, and safety.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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