AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- TRADE IN FARMED ANIMAL FUR PRODUCTS (Prohibits a person to sell, offer for sale, display for sale or otherwise distribute a farmed animal fur product within the state and provides graduated civil penalties for violations.)

S2221

2026 -- S 2221
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LC004252
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS --
TRADE IN FARMED ANIMAL FUR PRODUCTS

Introduced By:
Senators Murray, Gu, DiMario, and Valverde

Date Introduced:
January 23, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Environment & Agriculture
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Legislative Findings.
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The general assembly finds and declares that eliminating the sale of farmed fur products in
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the State of Rhode Island will decrease demand for cruel products, reduce public health risks,
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promote community awareness of animal welfare, alleviate environmental burdens, foster a more
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humane environment, and enhance the reputation of the state.
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SECTION 2. Title 6 of the General Laws entitled "COMMERCIAL LAW — GENERAL
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REGULATORY PROVISIONS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 63
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TRADE IN FARMED ANIMAL FUR PRODUCTS ACT
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6-63-1. Short title.

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This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The Trade In Farmed Animal Fur
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Products Act".
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6-63-2. Definitions.

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As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
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(1) “Fur” means any animal skin or part thereof with hair, fleece, or fur fibers attached
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thereto, either in its raw or processed state.
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(2) “Fur farm” means any operation, including the land, buildings, support facilities, and
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any other location or equipment, in which animals including, but not limited to, mink, fox, raccoon

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dog or chinchilla are owned, controlled, raised, bred, propagated, or kept for the value of their fur.
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(3)(i) “Fur product” means any article of clothing or covering for any part of the body, or
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any fashion accessory including, but not limited to, handbags, shoes, slippers, hats, earmuffs,
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scarves, shawls, gloves, jewelry, keychains, toys or trinkets, and home accessories and décor, that
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is made, in whole or in part, of fur.
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(ii) “Fur product” does not include any of the following:
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(A) An animal skin or part thereof that is to be converted into leather, or which in
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processing will have the hair, fleece, or fur fiber completely removed;
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(B) Animal hair, fleece, or fur fibers that are not attached to skin (e.g., fishing lures); or
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(C) Fur, wool, or other fibers sourced exclusively from any member of the family Bovidae,
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Camelidae, Equidae, Suidae, or Cervidae;
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(4) “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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(5) “Ultimate consumer” means an individual who buys a fur product for their own use, or
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for the use of another, but not for resale or trade.
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(6) “Used fur product” means a fur product that has been worn or used by an ultimate
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consumer.
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6-63-3. Prohibitions.

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Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for
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sale, display for sale, trade, or otherwise distribute for monetary or nonmonetary consideration, a
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fur product in the State of Rhode Island if any of the fur contained in the fur product was sourced
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from an animal that was raised, maintained, kept, or housed for all or part of its life on a fur farm.
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For purposes of this section, the sale of a fur product shall be deemed to occur in the State of Rhode
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Island if:
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(1) The buyer takes physical possession of the fur product in Rhode Island; or
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(2) The seller is located in Rhode Island.
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6-63-4. Exemptions.

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The prohibitions set forth in § 6-63-3 shall not apply to the sale, offer for sale, display for
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sale, trade, or distribution of:
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(1) A used fur product; or
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(2) A fur product where the activity is expressly authorized by federal law.
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6-63-5. Civil Penalty.

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(a) A violation of this chapter shall be a civil infraction. Any person who violates this
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chapter shall be subject to the following penalties:

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(1) For a first violation, a civil penalty of up to five hundred dollars ($500);
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(2) For a second violation that occurred within one year of a previous civil infraction, a
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civil penalty of up to seven hundred fifty dollars ($750); and
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(3) For a third violation that occurred within one year of a second civil infraction, a civil
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penalty of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000).
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(b) Each fur product that constitutes a violation of this chapter shall be treated as a separate
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violation in any civil action brought pursuant to this chapter.
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6-63-6. Enforcement.

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(a) The attorney general shall enforce the provisions of this chapter. The attorney general
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may also seek injunctive relief to prevent further violations of this chapter.
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(b) Within six (6) months of the effective date of this chapter, the attorney general shall
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promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation and enforcement of this chapter.
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(3) Any municipality may, by ordinance, enforce the provisions of § 6-63-5.
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(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there shall be a rebuttable presumption
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that a fur product contains fur that was sourced from an animal raised, maintained, kept, or housed
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for all or part of its life on a fur farm.
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6-63-7 Severability.

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If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is
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held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision or application which can be given
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effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are
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declared to be severable.
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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect three (3) years after passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS --
TRADE IN FARMED ANIMAL FUR PRODUCTS
***
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This act would prohibit a person to sell, offer for sale, display for sale or otherwise
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distribute a farmed animal fur product within the state and would provide graduated civil penalties
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for violations.
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This act would take effect three (3) years after passage.
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