House Bill 476 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ben HarrisonRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Conservation; right to care for injured wildlife under certain conditions established

Summary

The Alabama Good Samaritan Wildlife Rehabilitation Act would let people care for injured or orphaned wildlife that are not federally protected under specific conditions.

What This Bill Does

Under the act, a person may in good faith provide care or treatment to sustain life or reduce disability for injured, orphaned, or debilitated wildlife that is not federally protected or otherwise endangered. Care and treatment would be limited in duration (six months, with a three-year limit for beavers) and the animal must be released back to the general area where it was collected. For certain species (raccoon, skunk, bat, fox, coyote, bobcat), rabies vaccination is required before release if a veterinary facility treating such animals is within five miles. The act does not authorize veterinary practice, does not exempt cruelty laws, and does not allow keeping wildlife as pets; municipalities may adopt compatible local ordinances.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who want to help injured or orphaned wildlife not federally protected can provide care in good faith under the act, subject to care duration and release requirements.
• Local governments (municipalities) may adopt ordinances to regulate or support this wildlife care, as long as these ordinances do not conflict with the act or other laws.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Good Samaritan Wildlife Rehabilitation Act.
• Authorizes individuals to provide care or treatment to injured or orphaned wildlife that is not federally protected or otherwise endangered in good faith.
• Limits the length of care to six months (three years for beavers).
• Requires release back to the general area where the animal was collected.
• Requires rabies vaccination before release for certain species if a veterinary facility within five miles treats such animals.
• Does not authorize veterinary medicine, does not exempt cruelty laws, and does not permit keeping wildlife as pets.
• Municipalities may adopt ordinances to further care for wildlife, as long as they are consistent with this act and other laws.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 19, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Animals