Summary:
14-22-26.5-1 Chapter application
14-22-26.5-2 “Direct contact”
14-22-26.5-2.5 “Professional production crew”
14-22-26.5-3 “Proximity”
14-22-26.5-3.5 “Public”
14-22-26.5-4 “Specified animal”
14-22-26.5-5 “Trained”
14-22-26.5-6 Possession of specified animal; member of the public
14-22-26.5-7 Commercial animal dealer, breeder, or exhibitor's license
14-22-26.5-8 Adoption of rules
14-22-26.5-9 Violation of chapter
14-22-26.5-1 Chapter application
Sec. 1. This chapter does not apply to physical contact or proximity between a specified animal and any of the following:
(1) The owner of a specified animal.
(2) The owner of the facility in which the specified animal is kept.
(3) A trained employee of the facility's owner who is conducting the trained employee's duties, as determined by the facility's owner, for the specified animal.
(4) A contractor, intern, service provider, professional production crew, or another person who:
(A) is accompanied by the facility's owner; and
(B) is performing duties requiring the presence of the specified animal;
under a contract or other engagement with the facility's owner.
(5) A licensed veterinarian.
(6) A veterinary intern or specialist accompanying a licensed veterinarian.
(7) A registered veterinary technician under the direct or indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
(8) A veterinary student under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
Credits
As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7, eff. July 1, 2022.
Sec. 2. (a) As used in this chapter, “direct contact” means physical contact between the public and a specified animal.
(b) The term includes the taking of a photograph of a specified animal except where there is located between the public and the specified animal a permanent physical barrier designed to prevent physical contact between the public and the specified animal.
Credits
As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7, eff. July 1, 2022.
14-22-26.5-2.5 “Professional production crew”
Sec. 2.5. (a) As used in this chapter, “professional production crew” means a cast or crew member of a production team and includes a professional photographer, videographer, or cinematographer.
(b) The term includes a member of the news media.
Credits
As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7, eff. July 1, 2022.
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, “proximity” means a distance created by a visual or physical barrier, including a barrier fence, safety line, or other means to signify a restricted area, that is designed to prevent a member of the public from touching a primary, permeable barrier that contains a specified animal.
Credits
As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7, eff. July 1, 2022.
Sec. 3.5. As used in this chapter, “public” refers to a person or an individual who is not listed or otherwise described in section 1 of this chapter. However, the term does not include a trespasser.
Credits
As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7, eff. July 1, 2022.
14-22-26.5-4 “Specified animal”
Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, “specified animal” means a live animal that is any of the following:
(1) An animal from the following species of Felidae:
(A) Lions (Panthera leo).
(B) Tigers (Panthera tigris).
(C) Leopards (Panthera pardus).
(D) Snow leopards (Panthera uncia).
(E) Jaguars (Panthera onca).
(F) Mountain lions (Puma concolor).
(G) Any hybrid of a species listed in clauses (A) through (F).
(2) A bear (Ursidae).
Credits
As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7, eff. July 1, 2022.
Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, “trained” means having participated in specific instruction with a specified animal.
Credits
As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7, eff. July 1, 2022.
14-22-26.5-6 Possession of specified animal; member of the public
Sec. 6. A person that owns or possesses a specified animal may not allow a member of the public to:
(1) come into direct contact with; or
(2) enter into a proximity that allows for or permits direct contact with;
the specified animal, regardless of the age of the specified animal.
Credits
As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7, eff. July 1, 2022.
14-22-26.5-7 Commercial animal dealer, breeder, or exhibitor's license
Sec. 7. A person who owns a specified animal must have a commercial animal dealer, breeder, or exhibitor's license issued by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Credits
As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7, eff. July 1, 2022.
14-22-26.5-8 Adoption of rules
Sec. 8. The department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to implement this chapter. However, the department may not adopt a rule to add any additional specified animal to the definition provided in section 4 of this chapter.
Credits
As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7, eff. July 1, 2022.
14-22-26.5-9 Violation of chapter
Sec. 9. A person that violates this chapter commits a Class B infraction. The court shall assess the amount of the fine authorized by this section solely on the basis of the individual members of the public who are exposed to a specified animal when the court imposes the fine on a person that violates this chapter.
Credits
As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7, eff. July 1, 2022.