§ 22–1862. Unlawful distribution of a prohibited animal product.

(a) Beginning one year after October 1, 2020, a person commits the offense of unlawful distribution of a prohibited animal product if that person knowingly imports, sells, offers for sale, purchases, barters, trades, or possesses with intent to sell a prohibited animal product.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a person does not commit the offense of unlawful distribution of a prohibited animal product if the person:

(1) Bequeaths the prohibited animal product to the legal beneficiary of an estate or trust upon the death of the owner;

(2) Gifts or donates the prohibited animal product without remuneration;

(3) Is a government employee or agent conducting law enforcement activities pursuant to federal, state, or local law;

(4) Is an educational or scientific institution that imports, sells, offers for sale, purchases, barters, trades, or possesses with intent to sell a prohibited animal product for educational or scientific purposes;

(5) Is engaging in an activity that is expressly authorized by federal law or a permit issued pursuant to federal law;

(6) Imports, sells, offers for sale, purchases, barters, trades, or possesses with intent to sell a prohibited animal product that is part of an antique that:

(A) Is composed of not more than 20% of a prohibited animal product by volume; and

(B) The person can, through documentation, establish provenance and demonstrate that the antique is at least 100 years old; or

(7) Imports, sells, offers for sale, purchases, barters, trades, or possesses with intent to sell a prohibited animal product that is part of a musical instrument that:

(A) Is composed of less than 20% of a prohibited animal product by volume; and

(B) The person can establish provenance and demonstrate that the musical instrument was manufactured before 1976.

(c) The act of obtaining an appraisal of a prohibited animal product alone shall not constitute possession with intent to sell or offer for sale.