HLS 24RS-2078 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 854
BY REPRESENTATIVE GEYMANN
WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Provides for exemption to wildlife rehabilitation program rules
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 56:125.1, relative to wildlife possession; to provide for an exemption to
3 Wildlife Rehabilitation Program rules for possession of wildlife; to provide for strict
4 liability of anybody in possession of certain animal species that cause damages to a
5 person or property; and to provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 56:125.1 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 ยง125.1. Wildlife Rehabilitation Program; exemption
9 Individuals may possess in captivity any sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife
10 if they have satisfied the course requirements of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Program,
11 as provided for in LAC 76:V.131(D)(3), and a licensed veterinarian has determined
12 that the animal is medically nonreleasable or exhibits signs of adjusted life in
13 captivity and poses minimum zoonotic potential. Wildlife included under this
14 exemption shall be limited to the following species: (1) squirrel, (2) skunk, (3)
15 opossum, (4) raccoon, (5) rabbit, or (6) chipmunk, with such possession limited to
16 one animal per individual. Individuals in possession of one of these animals shall
17 be held strictly liable for any damages for injuries to persons or property caused by
18 the animal.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 24RS-2078 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 854
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 854 Original 2024 Regular Session Geymann
Abstract: Provides for exemption to Wildlife Rehabilitation Program rules.
Proposed law adds an exemption to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Program rules regarding
possession of wildlife. Proposed law provides that individuals may possess in captivity any
sick, injured or orphaned wildlife if they have satisfied the course requirements of the
Wildlife Rehabilitation Program, as provided by administrative rule, and a licensed
veterinarian has determined that the animal is medically non-releasable or exhibits signs of
adjusted life in captivity and poses minimum zoonotic potential. Proposed law specifies that
wildlife included under this exemption shall be limited to the following species: (1) squirrel,
(2) skunk, (3) opossum, (4) raccoon, (5) rabbit, or (6) chipmunk, with such possession
limited to one animal per individual. Proposed law provides for strict liability for
individuals in possession of one of these animals if they cause any damages to persons or
property.
(Adds R.S. 56:125.1)
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.