2023 -- S 0437
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LC001416
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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 -- ANIMAL CARE
Introduced By: Senators Burke, LaMountain, McKenney, Raptakis, Tikoian, and
Kallman
Date Introduced: February 16, 2023
Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 4-19 of the General Laws entitled "Animal Care" is hereby amended 1
by adding thereto the following section: 2
4-19-25. Pets for elder persons. 3
(a) A public animal shelter shall not charge an adoption fee for a dog or cat if the person 4
adopting the dog or cat presents to the public animal shelter a current and valid driver's license or 5
any other identification document including passports, original birth certificate, REAL ID, or state-6
issued identification card that identifies them as being sixty (60) years of age or older. 7
(b) A public animal shelter may limit the dogs or cats adopted from that public animal 8
shelter pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to only animals that have passed sexual maturity 9
pursuant to § 4-19-2. 10
(c) A public animal shelter may limit the number of dogs or cats adopted from that public 11
animal shelter pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to one dog or cat during a period of every 12
six (6) months per elder person pursuant to the provisions of § 4-13-44. 13
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 14
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LC001416 - Page 2 of 2
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- ANIMAL CARE
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This act would waive the adoption fee for a dog or cat at a public animal shelter for any 1
person sixty (60) years or older. The adoption of the animal is limited to those that have passed 2
sexual maturity and the shelter may limit the number of dogs and cats that are adopted. 3
This act would take effect upon passage. 4
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LC001416
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