Update: This bill failed to pass before the session ended, but was reintroduced in 2015 as A.1047.
Bill Description:
This bill increases the penalties for mislabeling fur to $1,000 for first violation and $2,000 for each subsequent violation.[teaserbreak]
Background:
Assemblymember Rosenthal introduced and passed the New York fur labeling act (A.8966) in 2007, which requires garments sold in New York to state “Real Fur” or “Faux Fur” on the label, hangtag, or sticker if they contain either such material. However, in the beginning of 2013 the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Assm. Rosenthal did an undercover investigation that found that popular New York department store Century 21 sold multiple animal fur garments in violation of state and federal fur labeling laws. Increasing the fines for mislabeling fur is aimed at deterring such unlawful behavior.