This bill amends Nosey's Law (P.L.2018, c.141) to expand the definition of "wild or exotic animals" prohibited from use in traveling animal acts. The current law excludes certain domestic species such as cattle, bison, domestic dogs, domestic cats, horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules from this definition. The proposed changes would remove these exclusions, thereby including them as wild or exotic animals. Additionally, the bill introduces two new classifications—lagomorpha (rabbits and hares) and rodentia (rodents)—to the list of animals that cannot be used in traveling animal acts.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the exceptions to the prohibition by specifying that outreach programs for educational or conservation purposes must be conducted at an educational institution to qualify for an exception. This change aims to ensure that the use of wild or exotic animals is limited to legitimate educational contexts, thereby enhancing animal welfare protections in traveling exhibitions. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 23:2A-16