SB3262 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 36893 JAG 67005 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB3262

Introduced 2/6/2024, by Sen. Linda Holmes

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Mink Facility Disease Prevention Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2025, a person may not own or operate a mink enterprise in the State. Specifies that a person who violates the Act is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. Defines terms.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning health.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Mink Facility Disease Prevention Act.

Section 5. Findings; purpose.

(a) The General Assembly finds that:

(1) Minks' upper respiratory tracts are physiologically similar to humans, which means minks can become infected by, and potentially transmit to humans, respiratory viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 and avian influenza.

(2) Minks' susceptibility to acquiring and spreading both human and animal respiratory viruses render them potentially potent mixing vessels for generating novel pandemic viruses.

(3) Tens of thousands of mink in the United States, and millions worldwide, have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, and there have been documented cases where mink have transmitted the virus to humans.

(4) Animal management and slaughter practices on mink farms have facilitated the spread of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to mink. These farms confine large numbers of animals in close proximity to each other, which promotes disease transmission. The mink also experience extreme stress, which increases the potential to shed and transmit viruses over extended periods. This risk is further exacerbated by on-site slaughter practices that create additional points of exposure.

(b) It is the purpose of this Act to protect public health and human safety by prohibiting the farming of mink for their fur in this State.

Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Department" means the Department of Public Health.

"Mink" means American mink (Neovison vison), European mink (Mustela lutreola), and any mink hybrid, whether alive or dead, and any parts and products of mink or mink hybrids.

"Mink facility" means any operation in which mink, for the value of their fur, are owned, controlled, raised, bred, propagated, kept, slaughtered, skinned, or sold.

"Person" includes any individual, firm corporation, trust, association, co-partnership, society, or other organization of individuals and any other business unit, device, or arrangement.

Section 15. Prohibition on mink farming. Beginning January 1, 2025, a person may not own or operate a mink enterprise in the State.

Section 20. Violations. A person who is convicted of a violation of this Act is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. The Department, or representative of a unit of local government or health department approved by the Department for this purpose, shall report any violation of this Act to the State's Attorney of the county in which the violation occurred. The State's Attorney may charge a person who violates this Act with a Class C misdemeanor. Each day's violation constitutes a separate offense.