The bill proposes an amendment to Chapter 20-19 of the General Laws, specifically adding a new section titled "20-19-5. Captive hunting prohibited." This new section defines "captive hunting" as a hunt that takes place within an area where animals' free movement is restricted by fences, man-made structures, or natural barriers, such as private lands set up as hunting or shooting preserves or game ranches. The bill explicitly prohibits the importation or release of any species, whether domestic or wild, exotic or native to the state, for the purpose of captive hunting. Additionally, it forbids the intentional or unintentional capture or restriction of free movement of native or domestic species for captive hunting.

The bill, however, makes an exception for the release of upland game birds for hunting on public or private property that is properly licensed by the department as a shooting preserve. The bill's provisions are set to take effect immediately upon passage. The legislative explanation clarifies that the act aims to ban captive hunting for domestic or wild animals while still allowing the release of upland game birds for hunting on licensed shooting preserves.