On October 12, 2019 the Governor Gavin Newsom of California approved a law to ban the sale of fur products in the State of California.
Important Definitions per the Law:
“Fur” means any animal skin or part thereof with hair, fleece, or fur fibers attached thereto, either in its raw or processed state.
“Fur product” means any article of clothing or covering for any part of the body, or any fashion accessory, including, but not limited to, handbags, shoes, slippers, hats, earmuffs, scarves, shawls, gloves, jewelry, keychains, toys or trinkets, and home accessories and decor, that is made in whole or in part of fur.
“Fur product” does not include any of the following:
• Dog or cat fur products
• An animal skin that is to be converted into leather, which in processing will have the hair, fleece, or fur fiber completely removed.
• Cowhide with hair attached
• Deerskin, sheepskin, lambskin, or goatskin with hair attached
Summary of the Law:
It will be unlawful to sell, offer for sale, display for sale, trade, or otherwise distribute a fur product in the state of California. It will also be illegal to manufacture a fur product in California for sale.
Violations of the law will be subject specified civil penalties, as follows. A penalty of up to $500 for the first violation. A penalty of up to $750 for a violation that occurs within one year of a previous violation. A penalty of up to $1,000 for a violation that occurs within one year of a second or subsequent violation. The law also allows the recovery of the reasonable costs of investigation, reasonable attorney’s fees, and reasonable expert witness’ fees.
The law will come into effect on January 1, 2023.
For full details, please reference the law: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB44
Additional Information
For your reference, an updated listing of current and proposed State and City Fur Bans is as follows: (Please note: The state law applies throughout California, and any relevant city ordinances should still be considered also.):
| State or City: | Proposed or Enacted | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| State of California | Enacted | January 1st, 2023 |
| State of Hawaii | Proposed | No date proposed, will take effect upon its approval |
| State of New York | Proposed | If passed, effective January 1st, 2021 |
| City of Berkley, CA | Enacted | March 28th, 2017 |
| City of San Francisco, CA | Enacted | January 1st, 2020 |
| City of Los Angeles, CA | Enacted | January 1st, 2021 |
| City of West Hollywood, CA | Enacted | September 21st, 2013 |
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