HB448INTRODUCED
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HB448
SWBA777-1
By Representatives Harrison, Butler, Yarbrough, Lamb, DuBose,
Shaw, Whorton, Faulkner, Rehm, Wilcox, Underwood, Ledbetter,
Stadthagen, Treadaway, Robertson, Mooney, Stubbs, Easterbrook,
Fincher, Bolton, Paschal, Stringer
RFD: Agriculture and Forestry
First Read: 18-Mar-25
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8 SWBA777-1 02/13/2025 ZAK (L)ma 2024-2548
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First Read: 18-Mar-25
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing rule, persons must have a permit
issued by the Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources to possess protected wild birds or animals.
This bill would provide that individuals may
care for injured or orphaned wild birds and animals
that are not federally protected.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to conservation; Alabama Good Samaritan
Wildlife Rehabilitation Act established to authorize
individuals to provide care to injured or orphaned wild birds
and animals under certain conditions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as
the Alabama Good Samaritan Wildlife Rehabilitation Act.
Section 2. (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary,
an individual may in good faith provide care or treatment to
sustain life or reduce disability to any injured, orphaned, or
debilitated wild bird or animal that is not federally
protected or otherwise endangered so that the organism may be
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protected or otherwise endangered so that the organism may be
returned to the wild.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to do
either of the following:
(1) Authorize an individual engaged in wildlife
rehabilitation to engage in the practice of veterinary
medicine as defined in Section 34-29-61, Code of Alabama 1975.
(2) Exempt an individual from the crime of cruelty to
animals as provided in Section 13A-11-14, Code of Alabama
1975.
Section 3. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2025.
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