SACRAMENTO – Today, California made history by becoming the first state in the nation to ban fur. The measure, Assembly Bill 44, was spearheaded by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) and signed into law by Governor Newsom this morning.
“After years of painstaking efforts from animal welfare advocates, California is a world leader on animal welfare issues,” said Assemblymember Laura Friedman. “With the stroke of his pen, Governor Newsom took a principled stance in support of the values made clear by Californians at the ballot box, namely that we won’t support the inhumane treatment of animals.”
Through its time in the legislature, AB 44 received strong, bipartisan, support in both houses and caught the attention of media outlets throughout the state and nation. The bill implements a statewide prohibition on the sale and manufacture of new fur products in California, providing for a civil penalty for each violation.
Leather, cowhide, and shearling, as well as fur products used for religious purposes are exempted. The law also has provisions that exempt taxidermy products, fur from animals lawfully taken with a hunting license, and used fur.
“Today, California became the most compassionate state in America. The Governor has signed a bill that will end the suffering of countless animals due to the senseless cruelty of the fur industry,” said Marc Ching, founder of Animal Hope in Legislation. “Fur has no place in our society – now California is the leader of this movement.”
“This is a monumental victory in the Humane Society of the United States’ hard-fought campaign to end this cruel and unnecessary trade,” said PJ Smith, Director of Fashion Policy at HSUS. “California is clearly the most humane state in the nation and a true leader on animal welfare issues. We hope other states and cities across the nation will now be emboldened to follow California’s lead.”
The law will go into effect on January 1, 2023.
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Laura Friedman represents the 43rd Assembly District which encompasses the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and La Cañada Flintridge, as well as the communities of La Crescenta and Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Atwater Village, Beachwood Canyon, Los Feliz, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, and Silver Lake.