Bill in Full:
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2010
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A N A C T
RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
Introduced By: Representatives Driver, MacBeth, Gallison, Fierro, and Handy
Date Introduced: February 25, 2010
Referred To: House Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Title 4 of the General Laws entitled "ANIMALS AND ANIMAL
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HUSBANDRY" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 26
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PREVENTION OF FARM ANIMAL CRUELTY ACT
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4-26-1. Short title. -- This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Prevention of
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Farm Animal Cruelty Act."
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4-26-2. Legislative intent. -- The purpose of this chapter is to prohibit the cruel
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confinement of farm animals in a manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie
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down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs.
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4-26-3. Farm animal cruelty provisions. -- (a) A person shall not tether or confine on a
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farm any pig during pregnancy, calf raised for veal, or egg-laying hen, for all or the majority of
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any day, in a manner that prevents such animal from:
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(1) Lying down, standing up, and fully extending his or her limbs; and
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(2) Turning around freely.
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(b) Exemption – This chapter shall not apply:
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(1) During examination, testing, individual treatment, or operation for veterinary
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purposes.
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(2) During transportation.
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(3) During state or county fair exhibitions, 4-H programs, and similar exhibitions.
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4-26-4. Definitions. -- For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the
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following meanings:
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(1) "Calf raised for veal" means any calf of the bovine species kept for the purpose of
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producing the food product described as veal.
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(2) "Egg-laying hen" means any female domesticated chicken, turkey, duck, goose, or
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guinea fowl kept for the purpose of egg production.
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(3 "Enclosure" means any cage, crate or other structure (including what is commonly
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described as a "gestation crate" for pigs; a "veal crate" for calves; or a "battery cage" for egg-
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laying hens) used to confine any pig during pregnancy, calf raised for veal, or egg-laying hen.
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(4) "Farm" means the land, building, support facilities, and other equipment that are
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wholly or partially used for the commercial production of animals or animal products used for
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food or fiber; it does not include live animal markets.
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(5) "Fully extending his or her limbs" means fully extending all limbs without touching
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the side of an enclosure, including, in the case of egg-laying hens, fully spreading both wings
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without touching the side of an enclosure or other egg-laying hens.
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(6) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, limited
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liability company, corporation, estate, trust, receiver, or syndicate.
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(7) "Pig during pregnancy" means any pregnant pig of the porcine species kept for the
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primary purpose of breeding.
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(8) "Turning around freely" means turning in a complete circle without any impediment,
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including a tether, and without touching the side of an enclosure.
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4-26-5. Enforcement. -- Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter is
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guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed
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one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty
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(180) days, or by both fine and imprisonment.
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4-26-6. Construction of chapter. -- The provisions of this chapter are in addition to, and
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not in lieu of, any other laws protecting animal welfare. This chapter shall not be construed to
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limit any state laws or regulations protecting the welfare of animals, nor shall anything in this
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chapter prevent a local governing body from adopting and enforcing its own animal welfare laws
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and regulations.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2014.
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LC01997
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
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This act would prohibit the cruel confinement of farm animals in a manner that does not
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allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs.
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This act would take effect on January 1, 2014.
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