SSHB854 4461 5139
HOUSE SUMMARY OF SENATE AMENDMENTS
HB 854 2024 Regular Session Geymann
WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Provides for exemption to wildlife rehabilitation program rules
Synopsis of Senate Amendments
1.Modifies the requirements for an individual to possess certain sick, injured, or
orphaned wildlife while providing care; specifically, limiting possession to no
more than ninety days unless the person satisfies wildlife rescuer training and
applies for a Special Purpose and Possession permit.
2.Requires the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to issue a Special
Purpose and Possession permit authorizing possession of the animal for its
natural life if the person completed wildlife rescuer training, applied for the
necessary permit, and a Louisiana veterinarian determined the animal is
medically non-releasable or adjusted to captivity.
3.Requires animals possessed pursuant to proposed law be spayed and neutered
and rabies vector species be microchipped.
4.Prohibits exploitation of wildlife, and prescribes seizure of the animal and
revocation of the permit for a violation of proposed law.
5.Requires the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission adopt rules to implement
proposed law.
6.Makes technical changes.
DIGEST
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, an individual may possess in captivity any sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife while
providing care for up to 90 days under the following conditions:
(1)For squirrel, opossum, rabbit or chipmunk, limit of one animal or litter per
individual.
(2)Single raccoon or skunk, upon notification to the La. Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries
(LDWF) and receipt of information on rabies vectors and a list of rehabilitators.
(3)Possessors held strictly liable for damages to persons or property. Proposed law
provides for strict liability for individuals in possession of one of these animals if
they cause any damages to persons or property.
Proposed law provides that an individual may possess sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife
beyond 90 days under the following conditions:
(1)The individual satisfies LDWF training requirements, which shall be offered online
and provide information on safety, husbandry, and diseases.
(2)The individual applies for a Special Purpose and Possession permit.
(3)A La. licensed veterinarian determines the animal is non-releasable or is adjusted to
captivity.
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Proposed law requires the LDWF to issue the permit where all requirements are met, and the
individual will be allowed to possess the animal for the remainder of its life. Further requires
that the animal be spayed or neutered, and rabies vector species shall be microchipped.
Proposed law provides that a La. licensed veterinarian is not liable for injury, illness, death,
loss, civil penalty, or damage in determining the animal is non-releasable or is adjusted to
captivity, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Proposed law prohibits use of any animal possessed under proposed law for exploitation,
including promotion, commerce, or pet trade. Further provides that any such use will be
grounds for seizure of the animal and revocation of the permit.
Proposed law requires the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission adopt rules to implement
proposed law.
(Adds R.S. 56:125.1)
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