2023 -- H 5703
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LC001371
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY – TRAVELING CIRCUSES
PROHIBITED
Introduced By: Representative William W. O'Brien
Date Introduced: February 17, 2023
Referred To: House Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Title 4 of the General Laws entitled "ANIMALS AND ANIMAL 1
HUSBANDRY" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 2
CHAPTER 28 3
TRAVELING CIRCUSES PROHIBITED 4
4-28-1. Purpose. 5
The purpose of this chapter is to prohibit the operation of traveling circuses, shows and 6
related activities in order to prevent the mistreatment of animals used in circuses. 7
4-28-2. Traveling circuses prohibited. 8
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct, sponsor, walk, exhibit, or operate a 9
traveling show or circus that includes live wild or other exotic animals on any public or private 10
land in the State of Rhode Island. 11
(b) This section shall not apply to domestic animals, including, but not limited to, dogs, 12
cats, horses, donkeys, and farm animals. 13
(c) This section shall not apply to educational exhibits. 14
(d) Violations of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars 15
($50.00) and not more than five hundred dollars ($500) per animal, and imprisonment for not more 16
than thirty (30) days. Each day that the violation continues shall constitute a separate violation. 17
LC001371 - Page 2 of 3
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 1
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LC001371
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LC001371 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY – TRAVELING CIRCUSES
PROHIBITED
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This act would make it unlawful for any person to conduct, sponsor, walk, exhibit, or 1
operate a traveling show or circus that includes live wild or other exotic animals on any public or 2
private land in the State of Rhode Island. Violations would be punished by a fine from fifty dollars 3
($50.00) up to five hundred dollars ($500) per animal and up to thirty (30) days imprisonment for 4
each day in violation. 5
This act would take effect upon passage. 6
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LC001371
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