2021 -- H 5771

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LC001826

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- PROHIBITION ON LIVE MARKETS

     Introduced By: Representatives Potter, Kislak, Cortvriend, McGaw, and C Lima

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2021

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. The general assembly makes the following findings of fact:

     21-27-13. Moratorium on live markets and food establishment slaughter for customer

consumption.

      (1) The general assembly finds that on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization

designated the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak as a public health emergency of

international concern.

     (2) On January 31, 2020 the Rhode Island department of health (department) establish an

incident command system response to COVID-19.

     (3) On January 31, 2020, United States Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M.

Azar II declared a public health emergency for the United States.

     (4) On March 9, 2020, the governor of the state of Rhode Island issued a declaration of

emergency and over the course of several months issued numerous continuations of that declaration

of emergency.

     (5) The declaration of emergency ordered the closure of businesses, parks, limitations of

social gatherings, to name just few temporary and sometimes permanent effects of the scourge of

COVID-19.

     (6) Through scientific research of unprecedented magnitude, the United States government

finally approved vaccines in late 2020.

     (7) Despite the long awaited vaccine, the legislature finds and acknowledges that Covid-

19 originated in live markets in the country of China and that the existence of live markets presents

a risk to citizens of the United States and elsewhere.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 21-27 of the General Laws entitled "Sanitation in Food

Establishments" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     21-27-13. Prohibition on live markets and food establishment slaughter for customer

consumption.

      Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the department of health and

any other licensing authorities of the state or any municipality shall not issue a new license to any

business that operates a live market, and shall restrict and prohibit the operation of any live market,

not already in existence, or the slaughter of any animals as defined in § 21-11-1, or of any poultry

subject to the provisions of chapter 13 of title 21, for the sale or delivery to the customer on the

premises. For purposes of this section, "live market" means a market or sales site in which a vendor

slaughters live animals or poultry upon customer purchase.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- PROHIBITION ON LIVE MARKETS

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     This act would prohibit the granting of any business licenses to any person, firm,

partnership or corporation that operates a live market where consumers can buy freshly slaughtered

meat or fowl.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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