Rhode Island Legislative Overview – 2022 Session
(Adjourned on June 23, 2022)
24 pet industry-related issues were proposed during the 2022 legislative session, 12of which were designated as priority by the Pet Advocacy Network.
Final Disposition of Priority ISSUES:
| BILL # | SUMMARY | FINAL DISPOSITION |
| HB 6624/SB 2701 | Statewide Animal Abuser Registry w/Mandate to Check: Amends Title 4 (Animals & Animal Husbandry) of Rhode Island General Laws by adding a new Chapter 1.3 to create the “Animal Abuser Registry Act”. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 7065/SB 2446 | Single-Use Plastic Carryout Bag Prohibition: Amends Title 23 (Health & Safety) of RI General Laws by adding a new Chapter 19.17 (Plastic Waste Reduction Act) to prohibit retail sales establishments from providing single-use plastic checkout bags. | ENACTED |
| HB 7305 | “Peace Officer” Definition (RI SPCA Agent Inclusion): Amends Title 12 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 7 (Arrest), Section 21 (“Peace Officer” defined) of RI General Laws to add to the definition of “peace officers” the general agent of the Rhode Island SPCA and any special agents appointed by the society while enforcing any of the laws of this state in relation to cruelty of animals pursuant to § 4-1-21 (Powers of agents of society for prevention of cruelty to animals). | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 7360 | “Domestic Violence” Definition (Inclusion of Animal Cruelty): Amends Title 15 (Domestic Relations), Chapter 15 (Domestic Abuse Prevention), Section 1 (Definitions) of RI General Laws to modify the definition of domestic violence to include coercive control of another, resulting in a pattern of behavior that in purpose or effect unreasonably interferes with a person’s free will and personal liberty. | WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR |
| HB 7572 | Animal Cruelty – Pet Ownership Prohibition: Amends Title 4 (Animals & Animal Husbandry), Chapter 4-1 (Cruelty to Animals), Section 4-1-3 (Unnecessary cruelty) of RI General Laws to prohibit pet ownership by people convicted of certain animal cruelty offenses. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 7678/SB 2227 | Animal Cruelty – Animal Advocates in Civil/Criminal Court: Amends Title 4 (Animals & Animal Husbandry), Chapter 4-1 (Cruelty to Animals) of RI General Laws by adding a new Section 31.1 to provide that a civil or criminal court may, at their discretion, authorize the appointment of pro bono attorneys and supervised law students from a list maintained by the state Department of Environmental Management, to act as animal advocates in animal cruelty and abuse. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 7785/SB 2751 | Zoonotic Diseases – Establishment of Quarantine Zones: Amends Title 4 (Animals & Animal Husbandry), Chapter 4-4 (Animal Diseases in General), Section 4-4-1 (Appointment of inspectors to inspect diseased animals – Quarantine-Veterinarians) of RI General Statutes to authorize the Director of the Department of Environmental Management to establish quarantine zones for animals and would permit the examination of any quarantined animal therein. | ENACTED |
| SB 2186 | Repeal of Sales Tax on Pet Care Services: Amends Title 44 (Taxation), Chapter 44-18 (Sales and Use Taxes – Liability and Computation), Section 7.3 (Services Defined) of RI General Laws to repeal the sales tax on pet care services. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
View ALL Rhode Island legislation tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2022 session.
View ALL local ordinances tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2021-22 session.
View ALL federal and state issues tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2021-22 session.