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2023 SESSION

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23103902D
HOUSE BILL NO. 2483 Offered January 20, 2023 A BILL to amend and reenact § 3.2-6594 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 3.2-6570.2, relating to elephants; pain-inflicting training tools prohibited; penalty. ---------- Patron-- Kory ---------- Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 3.2-6594 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 3.2-6570.2 as follows:

§ 3.2-6594. Definitions.

As used in this article:

"Dangerous captive animal" means any bear, cougar, elephant, jaguar, leopard, lion, nonhuman primate, or tiger, or any hybrid of any such animal. "Dangerous captive animal" does not include a clouded leopard.

"Direct contact" means physical contact or proximity where physical contact is possible, including an opportunity for photography without a permanent physical barrier designed to prevent physical contact between the public and a dangerous captive animal.

"Keeper" means any person, as defined in § 1-230, who owns, has custody of, or is in control of a dangerous captive animal.

§ 3.2-6570.2. Elephants; pain-inflicting training instruments prohibited; penalty.

It is unlawful for any person to (i) use, brandish, exhibit, or display a bullhook, ankus, baseball bat, axe handle, pitchfork, or similar instrument or a tool designed to inflict pain in the presence of an elephant or (ii) poke an elephant with such an instrument or tool for the purpose of training or controlling the behavior of the elephant. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.