The bill amends Chapter 20-13 of the General Laws by introducing a new section, 20-13-19, which prohibits wildlife killing contests, also referred to as predator hunting contests, on both public and private lands. These contests are defined as organized competitions aimed at the taking or hunting of any furbearers, as defined by 20-16-1, for cash, prizes, or other inducements. The bill explicitly forbids individuals, organizations, or businesses from organizing, sponsoring, promoting, conducting, or participating in such contests, with certain exceptions for field trials permitted by the department, wildlife damage control activities authorized under 20-1-24 (as long as those activities do not take place during a contest), and lawful hunting or trapping activities authorized under 20-1-4, 20-1-8, 20-1-12, and 20-1-13 (as long as those activities do not take place during a contest).

Penalties for violating this prohibition are outlined in the bill, with individuals facing fines of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000 for a first offense. For a second and all subsequent convictions related to violations of the prohibition, or any conviction while their hunting license is suspended, individuals shall be fined a minimum of $1,000 and not more than $5,000. Organizations or businesses that violate this section shall be fined not less than $1,000 and not more than $5,000 for a first offense, and upon a second and all subsequent convictions related to violations of the prohibition, they shall be fined not less than $5,000 and not more than $10,000. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.