Bill > S2241

This bill establishes new regulations for ivory and rhino horn trafficking by creating a new chapter in the General Laws. It defines terms such as "ivory," "rhinoceros horn," and "bona fide educational or scientific institution," which is an organization with tax exemption or accreditation. The bill generally prohibits the import, sale, purchase, barter, or possession with intent to sell of ivory, ivory products, rhinoceros horn, or rhinoceros horn products, with specific exceptions. These exceptions include transfers as part of an estate, law enforcement activities, imports authorized by federal permits or CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), and transactions with bona fide educational or scientific institutions or museums if the items were legally acquired before specific dates and not resold for profit. It also allows for the sale of certain manufactured or handmade items containing ivory if they are bona fide antiques, musical instruments with minimal ivory content manufactured before 1975, or items with de minimis quantities of ivory meeting strict criteria regarding their composition, weight, and import history. Penalties for violations range from fines and imprisonment for first offenses to significantly higher fines and longer prison sentences for subsequent or high-value offenses. The bill also creates an "Elephant Ivory and Rhino Horn Trafficking Enforcement Fund" to support enforcement, educational efforts, and reward informants, funded by revenues from violations and other designated sources. The act will take effect six months after its passage.