SLS 14RS-785 ORIGINAL
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
SENATE BILL NO. 357
BY SENATOR CHABERT
ANIMALS. Bans the importation or private possession of certain constrictor and venomous
snakes. (8/1/14)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 56:632.5.1(A) and (B), relative to reptiles and amphibians; to2
provide for constrictor and venomous snakes; to prohibit the importation or private3
possession of constrictor and venomous snakes; to provide certain exemptions; to4
provide terms, conditions, and requirements; and to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 56:632.5.1(A) and (B) are hereby amended and reenacted to read as7
follows:8
ยง632.5.1. Constrictors and poisonous snakes9
A. The importation or private possession of constrictor snakes in excess of10
eight feet long, including but not limited to the following species: Apodora papuana11
(Papuan python), Liasis olivacea, (Olive python), Morelia spilota (Carpet or12
Diamond python), Morelia kinghorni (Scrub python), Morelia amethystine13
(Amethystine python), Python natalensis (Southern African python), Python sebae14
(African Rock python), Python molurus (Indian or Burmese python), Python15
reticulatus (Reticulate python), any species of the genus Boa (Boa constrictors), and16
any species of the genus Eunectes (Anacondas), obtained in any manner, shall be17 SB NO. 357
SLS 14RS-785 ORIGINAL
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
only by permit issued by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries prohibited except1
for animals kept by animal sanctuaries, zoos, aquariums, wildlife research centers,2
scientific organizations, and medical research facilities as defined in the Animal3
Welfare Act as found in the United States Code Title 7, Chapter 54, 2132(e).4
B. The importation or private possession of venomous snakes, including any5
species under current taxonomic standing recognized to belong to the Families6
Viperidae (Pitvipers and Vipers), Elapidae (Cobras and Mambas), Hydrophiidae (Sea7
Snakes), Atractaspididae (Mole Vipers), as well as the genera Dispholidus,8
Thelotornis, and Rhabdophis of the Family Colubridae obtained in any manner, shall9
be only by permit issued by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries prohibited10
except for animals kept by animal sanctuaries, zoos, aquariums, wildlife research11
centers, scientific organizations, and medical research facilities as defined in the12
Animal Welfare Act as found in the United States Code Title 7, Chapter 54, 2132(e).13
* * *14
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by McHenry Lee.
DIGEST
Chabert (SB 357)
Present law requires that any person who imports or privately possesses a constrictor or
venomous snakes have a permit issued by the DW&F. Makes an exception for animal
sanctuaries, zoos, aquariums, wildlife research centers, scientific organizations, and medical
research facilities as defined by the U.S. Animal Welfare Act.
Proposed law prohibits the importation or private possession of constrictor and venomous
snakes but retains the present law exemption for animal sanctuaries, zoos, aquariums,
wildlife research centers, scientific organizations, and medical research facilities as defined
by the U.S. Animal Welfare Act.
Effective August 1, 2014.
(Amends R.S. 56:632.5.1(A) and (B))