Senate Bill 280 Summary

• Establishes criminal penalties for knowingly or intentionally releasing exotic animals or wild animals into the wild without a department of natural resources permit, making it a Class C misdemeanor with fines of $500 to $2,500.

• Requires persons in the business of selling exotic reptiles (defined as selling six or more per calendar year) to obtain an annual permit from the department, with a maximum fee of $50 per year, and makes unpermitted sales a Class C misdemeanor.

• Requires persons not in the business of selling exotic reptiles to notify the department before selling an exotic reptile, with failure to notify classified as a Class C infraction.

• Defines "exotic animal" as any animal not native to Indiana or extirpated from Indiana that is wild or feral (excluding dogs and cats).

• Takes effect July 1, 2010.