Relates to prohibitions on fur products; prohibits the manufacture, sale, display for sale, trade, giving, donating, or otherwise distributing of a fur product by any means in the state beginning twenty-four months after this act becomes a law.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A703
SPONSOR: Rosenthal L TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to the prohibition
on fur products
PURPOSE:
This bill would phase out the sale and distribution of fur products in
New York State.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one amends the general business law by adding a new section
399-bbbb.
Section two establishes the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Fur farms across the United States raise animals like raccoons, foxes,
minks, and chinchillas to kill for their fur, often using cruel and
inhumane methods. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that
over 100 million animals are killed each year for the fur industry.
As animal cruelty laws have progressed, more and more people have chosen
to stop supporting the fur industry and turn to faux-fur products or
other alternatives. Major luxury fashion brands such as Coach, Versace,
Burberry and Michael Kors have recently announced plans to become fur-
free, while some retailers and magazines have also announced they will
no longer carry or feature clothing and accessories using animal fur.
Countries such as Austria, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have
banned the sale of fur products, while a few U.S. cities including Los
Angeles and San Francisco have also taken the step.
While the popularity of wearing fur has decreased, many retailers still
sell fur products, keeping cruel fur farms in business. This legislation
would phase out the sale and distribution of any new fur products in New
York State within two years.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019-20: A.5040-B - Referred to Economic Development
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
703
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY(Prefiled)
January 6, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL, GLICK -- read once and referred to
the Committee on Economic Development
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to the prohibition
on fur products
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section
2 399-bbbb to read as follows:
3 § 399-bbbb. Prohibition on fur products. 1. Notwithstanding any other
4 law, rule or regulation to the contrary, beginning twenty-four months
5 after this section takes effect, it shall be unlawful to sell, offer for
6 sale, display for sale, trade, give, donate, or otherwise distribute a
7 fur product by any means in the state.
8 2. Notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary,
9 beginning twenty-four months after this section takes effect, it shall
10 be unlawful to manufacture a fur product in the state.
11 3. Subdivision one of this section shall not apply to the sale, offer
12 for sale, display for sale, trade, gift, donation, or other distribution
13 of used fur products by a person not normally engaged in the business of
14 selling fur products, non-profit organization, or second-hand stores
15 including pawn shops.
16 4. Subdivision two of this section shall not apply to the manufacture
17 of any fur product using fur sourced exclusively from used fur products.
18 5. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions one and two of this
19 section, the manufacture and sale of fur products shall not be prohibit-
20 ed when such manufacture and sale is for the exclusive distribution to
21 and use by persons who purchase such products in order to conform to or
22 comply with a religious or cultural practice.
23 6. The fine for a violation of this section shall be up to five
24 hundred dollars for a first violation; up to seven hundred fifty dollars
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00546-01-1
A. 703 2
1 for a second violation; and up to one thousand dollars for each addi-
2 tional violation. Each fur product that does not comply with the
3 provisions of this section shall constitute a separate violation. Costs
4 and fees may be recovered, including attorney's fees.
5 7. For purposes of this section:
6 (a) "Fur" means any animal skin or part thereof with hair, fleece, or
7 fur fibers attached thereto, either in its raw or processed state. "Fur"
8 does not include such skins or parts thereof as are to be converted into
9 leather, which in processing will have the hair, fleece, or fur fiber
10 completely removed; cowhide with hair attached thereto; or lambskin or
11 sheepskin with fleece attached thereto.
12 (b) "Fur product" means any article of clothing or covering for any
13 part of the body, or any fashion accessory, including but not limited to
14 handbags, shoes, slippers, hats, earmuffs, scarves, shawls, gloves,
15 jewelry, and key chains, that is made in whole or in part of fur.
16 (c) "Used fur product" means a fur product that a person has acquired
17 for his or her own use and worn.
18 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
