Bill > H5447

This bill prohibits the sale, display, trade, or distribution of fur products sourced from animals raised on fur farms in Rhode Island, with specific definitions and graduated civil penalties. The legislation defines "fur" as any animal skin with hair or fur fibers attached, and "fur product" as clothing, accessories, or decorative items made partly or wholly from fur, with some exemptions like used fur products, fishing lures, and items authorized by federal law. Sellers would face increasing financial penalties for violations: a first offense could result in a $500 fine, a second offense within one year could lead to a $750 fine, and a third offense within one year could result in a $1,000 fine. The attorney general is tasked with enforcing the law and developing implementation regulations, and municipalities are also empowered to enforce the penalties. Notably, the bill includes a rebuttable presumption that a fur product contains fur from a farm animal, and it will not take effect until four years after its passage, likely to give businesses time to adapt to the new restrictions. The law aims to discourage fur farming and the commercial sale of fur products by creating significant financial disincentives for retailers.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

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