Captive Primate Safety Act

Summary

Makes it illegal to import, export, transport, sell, buy, acquire, breed, or possess live nonhuman primate species across state lines or in interstate/foreign commerce, with narrow exceptions. The law adds a definition of “prohibited primate species” to the Lacey Act, preserves limited exemptions for pre‑existing owners who register, temporary transport custody, and certain registered research facilities, and orders the Department of the Interior to issue implementing regulations within 180 days (while making enforcement effective on enactment). It also fixes minor technical errors in related statute citations.

• Adds all live nonhuman primate species to the Lacey Act’s list of prohibited species.
• Bans import, export, interstate/foreign commerce sale, transport, purchase, acquisition, breeding, and possession of those primates, subject to limited exceptions.
• Pre-enactment owners may keep primates only if they register within 180 days, and then may not breed, sell, or allow public direct contact.
• Registered USDA research facilities and other existing statutory exceptions remain allowed to possess primates under current rules.
• Secretary of the Interior must issue implementing regulations within 180 days, but the ban is enforceable on enactment even if regulations are delayed.
• Includes minor technical corrections to related U.S. code sections and cross-references.
• Affects the exotic pet trade and commercial breeding by effectively ending interstate commerce in nonhuman primates.
• Intended enforcement proceeds under the Lacey Act’s existing civil and criminal authority.