Captive Primate Safety Act | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

Senate BillS 1594Animals

Captive Primate Safety Act

INTRO MAY 5· LAST ACTION MAY 5

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WHAT THE BILL DOES

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This bill matters because it changes what animals people can legally own as pets, particularly for nonhuman primates. If it becomes law, it aims to address public safety concerns related to dangerous animals, as primates can be strong and carry diseases. It also seeks to improve animal welfare by limiting private ownership where appropriate care can be difficult to provide.

If this bill passes, it means that owning a chimpanzee, monkey, or other primate as a pet would largely become a thing of the past for most individuals, with a grandfather clause for existing pets under strict conditions. If it doesn't pass, the legal status of owning these animals would remain as it is today, varying by state and local laws, potentially allowing for continued pet ownership, breeding, and sale of these species across state lines.

KEY PROVISIONS

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PROVISION 01

The bill defines "prohibited primate species" to include all live nonhuman primates, such as chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, and their hybrids.

This clearly identifies which animals are subject to the new restrictions in the Lacey Act.

PROVISION 02

It makes it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, acquire, purchase, breed, or possess any prohibited primate species.

This is the core prohibition, effectively ending the commercial and private pet trade for these animals.

PROVISION 03

Owners of primates born before the bill's enactment can keep them if they register with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within 180 days, do not breed/acquire/sell more, and prevent public contact.

This provision grandfathers in current pet owners, allowing them to retain their animals under specific conditions, avoiding immediate confiscation.

PROVISION 04

Registered research facilities with good-standing Department of Agriculture registrations are exempt from the prohibitions.

This ensures that essential scientific research involving primates can continue without interruption.

PROVISION 05

The Secretary of the Interior is required to issue implementing regulations within 180 days of the bill's enactment.

This sets a timeline for the government to create the detailed rules needed to put the law into practice.

SPONSORSHIP

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ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

MAY 5

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

MAY 5

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeSenate Bill

NumberS 1594

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedMay 5, 2025

Last actionMay 5, 2025

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAY 5, 2025

Senate BillS 1594Animals

Captive Primate Safety Act

INTRODUCED MAY 5, 2025· LAST ACTION MAY 5, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

4 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps Congress.gov

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

The bill defines "prohibited primate species" to include all live nonhuman primates, such as chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, and their hybrids.

This clearly identifies which animals are subject to the new restrictions in the Lacey Act.

high

It makes it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, acquire, purchase, breed, or possess any prohibited primate species.

This is the core prohibition, effectively ending the commercial and private pet trade for these animals.

high

Owners of primates born before the bill's enactment can keep them if they register with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within 180 days, do not breed/acquire/sell more, and prevent public contact.

This provision grandfathers in current pet owners, allowing them to retain their animals under specific conditions, avoiding immediate confiscation.

med

Registered research facilities with good-standing Department of Agriculture registrations are exempt from the prohibitions.

This ensures that essential scientific research involving primates can continue without interruption.

med

The Secretary of the Interior is required to issue implementing regulations within 180 days of the bill's enactment.

This sets a timeline for the government to create the detailed rules needed to put the law into practice.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Captive Primate Safety Act

Registration of individual prohibited primate species born before the date of enactment for continued possession.

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act

Promulgation of regulations by the Secretary of the Interior to implement the amendments.

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

TYPE	AMOUNT	WHO
civil and criminal	Varies; violations fall under the existing penalties outlined in the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981, which can include fines and imprisonment depending on the severity and intent.	Any person found to be in violation of the prohibited activities (importing, exporting, transporting, selling, receiving, acquiring, purchasing, breeding, or possessing prohibited primate species) without an applicable exemption.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Lacey Act Amendments of 1981: A federal law that prohibits the trafficking of illegally harvested wildlife, fish, and plants. This bill would expand what activities are considered illegal under this act.
Prohibited Primate Species: Any live nonhuman primate, including chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, lemurs, and their hybrids, which this bill designates as illegal to widely possess or trade.
Interstate or Foreign Commerce: Trade, transportation, or business activities that cross state lines within the U.S. or involve other countries.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service: A federal agency within the Department of the Interior responsible for managing and conserving fish, wildlife, and natural habitats.
Department of Agriculture: A federal department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food.
Grandfathered: A provision in a new law that allows existing situations or activities to continue, even if they would otherwise be forbidden, usually under specific conditions.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

MAY 5, 25

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

MAY 5, 25

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

INTROREFERRAL

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May 5, 2025

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Captive Primate Safety Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

Captive Primate Safety Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

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