2025 -- S 0025

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LC000473

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS --

TRADE IN FARMED ANIMAL FUR PRODUCTS

     Introduced By: Senators Gu, DiMario, Murray, Ujifusa, Valverde, Britto, and Lauria

     Date Introduced: January 23, 2025

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Legislative Findings.

     The general assembly finds and declares that eliminating the sale of farmed fur products in

the State of Rhode Island will decrease demand for cruel products, reduce public health risks,

promote community awareness of animal welfare, alleviate environmental burdens, foster a more

humane environment, and enhance the reputation of the state.

     SECTION 2. Title 6 of the General Laws entitled "COMMERCIAL LAW — GENERAL

REGULATORY PROVISIONS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 61

TRADE IN FARMED ANIMAL FUR PRODUCTS ACT

     6-61-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The Trade In Farmed Animal Fur

Products Act".

     6-61-2. 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) “Fur farm” means any operation, including the land, buildings, support facilities, and

any other location or equipment, in which animals including, but not limited to, mink, fox, raccoon

dog or chinchilla are owned, controlled, raised, bred, propagated, or kept for the value of their fur.

     (3)(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, keychains, toys or trinkets, and home accessories and décor, that

is made, in whole or in part, of fur.

     (ii) “Fur product” does not include any of the following:

     (A) An 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) Animal hair, fleece, or fur fibers that are not attached to skin (e.g., fishing lures); or

     (C) Fur, wool, or other fibers sourced exclusively from any member of the family Bovidae,

Camelidae, Equidae, Suidae, or Cervidae;

     (4) “Person” means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, limited

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

     (5) “Ultimate consumer” means an individual who buys a fur product 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.

     6-61-3. Prohibitions.

     Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for

sale, display for sale, trade, or otherwise distribute for monetary or nonmonetary consideration, a

fur product in the State of Rhode Island if any of the fur contained in the fur product was sourced

from an animal that was raised, maintained, kept, or housed for all or part of its life on a fur farm.

For purposes of this section, the sale of a fur product shall be deemed to occur in the State of Rhode

Island if:

     (1) The buyer takes physical possession of the fur product in Rhode Island; or

     (2) The seller is located in Rhode Island.

     6-61-4. Exemptions.

     The prohibitions set forth in § 6-61-3 shall not apply to the sale, offer for sale, display for

sale, trade, or distribution of:

     (1) A used fur product; or

     (2) A fur product where the activity is expressly authorized by federal law.

     6-61-5. Civil Penalty.

     (a) A violation of this chapter shall be a civil infraction. Any person who violates this

chapter shall be subject to the following penalties:

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     (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 civil infraction, a

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

     (3) For a third violation that occurred within one year of a second civil infraction, 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 any civil action brought pursuant to this chapter.

     6-61-6. Enforcement.

     (a) The attorney general shall enforce the provisions of this chapter. The attorney general

may also seek injunctive relief to prevent further violations of this chapter.

     (b) Within six (6) months of the effective date of this chapter, the attorney general shall

promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation and enforcement of this chapter.

     (3) Any municipality may, by ordinance, enforce the provisions of § 6-61-5.

     (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there shall be a rebuttable presumption

that a fur product contains fur that was sourced from an animal raised, maintained, kept, or housed

for all or part of its life on a fur farm.

     6-61-7 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 3. This act shall take effect three (3) years after passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS --

TRADE IN FARMED ANIMAL FUR PRODUCTS

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     This act would prohibit a person to sell, offer for sale, display for sale or otherwise

distribute a farmed animal fur product within the state and would provide graduated civil penalties

for violations.

     This act would take effect three (3) years after passage.

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