HLS 24RS-2078 ENGROSSED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 854
BY REPRESENTATIVES GEYMANN AND VENTREL LA
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 Notwithstanding any local ordinance, administrative rule, or any other
10 provision of law to the contrary, individuals may possess in captivity any sick,
11 injured, or orphaned wildlife if they have satisfied the course requirements of the
12 Wildlife Rehabilitation Program, as provided for in LAC 76:V.131, and a licensed
13 veterinarian has determined that the animal is medically nonreleasable or exhibits
14 signs of adjusted life in captivity and poses minimum zoonotic potential. Wildlife
15 included under this exemption shall be limited to the following species: (1) squirrel,
16 (2) skunk, (3) opossum, (4) raccoon, (5) rabbit, or (6) chipmunk, with such
17 possession limited to one animal per individual. Individuals in possession of one of
18 these animals shall be held strictly liable for any damages for injuries to persons or
19 property caused by the animal.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 24RS-2078 ENGROSSED
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 Engrossed 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, notwithstanding any law or rules to the
contrary, 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)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Natural Resources and
Environment to the original bill:
1. Specify that proposed law supercedes any existing local ordinance,
administrative rule, or any other provision of law to the contrary.
2. Make a technical change.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.