UPDATE: The Committee recommended that the bill be held for further study (i.e. it was tabled).
UPDATE: This bill has a hearing on March 2 at 4:00 PM. Room 101 in the State House, 82 Smith St., Providence, RI 02903.
First step. Go here and send your opposition quickly. Then return to this page and follow the Sample Messaging steps below. QUICK OPPOSITION LINK: https://ujoin.co/campaigns/2154/actions/public?action_id=2290
Rhode Island House Bill 5703 (H5703) is another animal program ban with broad-sweeping implications. H5703 prohibits using any animal except “domestic animals, including, but not limited to, dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, and farm animals” in educational outreach and other programs. This is a ban on educational programs in classrooms, public libraries, at Scout Troop meetings, and more. Violators may be fined $50 to $500 per animal and up to 30 days imprisonment for each day in violation.
BE AWARE: This program ban would cover ALL non-domesticated species. “Live wild or other exotic animal” means any animal that is not a “domestic animals, including, but not limited to, dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, and farm animals.”
There is a very vague exemption for “educational exhibits” but that term has no definition. As just one problem with this, most people would consider an exhibit to mean that animals are not held by a handler and remain in an enclosure. Obviously, most outreach programs do not keep the animals in enclosures.
This bill is unnecessary, redundant, and a waste of Rhode Island’s tax dollars. Animal welfare and cruelty laws are already in place and measures like this bill only punish responsible citizens instead of actually penalizing criminals.
NOTE: Once again, we must make it clear that “intent” does not matter. Once these vague bills are passed into law, they are open to interpretation by law enforcement officers and those officers must enforce the language of the law and not the “intent” claimed during legislative hearings. It does not matter what legislators state as the purpose of the bill. They have been misinformed by animal rights groups and that is why you must voice your opposition and educate them. Laws are not enforced by legislators and the enforcement officers must enforce the law as written. This bill is sponsored by Representative William W. O’Brien and was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
What to do
- Email legislators;
2. Fax and mail letters;
3. Attend hearings and voice opposition, if possible;
4. SHARE this and encourage others to complete the Alert!!!
Bill TEXT: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText23/HouseText23/H5703.pdf
Sample Messaging
Remember to be civil and professional at all times!
Email list: rep-craven@rilegislature.gov, rep-caldwell@rilegislature.gov, rep-casimiro@rilegislature.gov, rep-felix@rilegislature.gov, rep-corvese@rilegislature.gov, rep-mcentee@rilegislature.gov, rep-knight@rilegislature.gov, rep-ajello@rilegislature.gov, rep-batista@rilegislature.gov, rep-noret@rilegislature.gov, rep-bennett@rilegislature.gov, rep-roberts@rilegislature.gov, rep-place@rilegislature.gov, HouseJudiciary@rilegislature.gov
Subject line:
AGAINST H5703
Sample letter
Rhode Island Judiciary Committee Members,
As a dedicated advocate for animal welfare, I am against H5703 which will ban animal programs. Rhode Island already has extensive animal cruelty and welfare laws including Gen. Laws, 1956, § 4-1-1, titled Cruelty to Animals. Enforce those current laws! H5703 is yet another superfluous law that will not accomplish its stated purpose and is nothing more than a solution looking for a problem. The fact is that this legislation is unnecessary. Punish the “bad actors” and the criminals. No new law is needed to protect animals as Rhode Island can already prosecute animal abusers.
The overreach and unintended consequences are immense! The definition of “traveling performance” would ban outreach programs with a Greek tortoise, gecko, parrot, or almost any other animal at a school or library, for example. Such educational animal outreach events allow children to actually see animals in person. There are many ways to learn about animals, but seeing them in person leads to much greater appreciation, and fuels the desire to learn and to conserve animals and their habitats. This is an important benefit that is not cruel to the animals involved. It is unreasonable to punish those engaging in conscientious animal husbandry and outreach with such a misguided attempt to crack down upon those who are negligent.
The included language which claims to exempt “educational exhibits” is very problematic. Without a definition, what qualifies as an “educational exhibit?” Typically, exhibit means no interaction. How can a person lose their irrational fear of snakes if not allowed to touch a snake and understand they are not slimy and creepy? Removing these types of interactions actually harms conservation efforts because people do not appreciate what they do not understand. Today’s children will not grow up to conserve animals if they never have the types of programs that spark their passions. This exemption is vague and open to a different interpretation by each enforcement officer. Regardless of any definition, this bill is just more redundant legislation.
Superfluous and redundant laws are becoming commonplace. Tax dollars and legislative resources are continually being wasted to propose duplicative laws. Even worse, collective punishment is becoming an accepted practice in our government. This bill claims that every person who works with animals is a criminal and that is glaringly false. Instead of focusing on criminals, many new laws choose to punish good citizens.
This bill is far-reaching and rife with unintended consequences, including making criminals out of those dedicated individuals who responsibly conduct educational programs with animals. Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter. Please realize that H5703 is illogical and unjust. Have a good day.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
