A new bill proposing amendments to wildlife rehabilitation guidelines is causing concerns with wildlife rehabs. As they say, this could be detrimental if the bill passes.

LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- A new bill proposing amendments to wildlife rehabilitation guidelines is causing concerns with wildlife rehabs. As they say, this could be detrimental if the bill passes.

HCR6 is a bill introduced by Louisiana State Representatives Lauren Ventrella and Brett Geymann, and proposes to make changes to requirements on obtaining a permit for a wildlife rehabilitation program.

Leticia Labbie with Acadiana Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation, Inc., says she wants to bring awareness to the bill as the proposed changes could result in inexperienced wildlife rehabilitation programs.

"If we water it down and just open it to anybody and everyone in the state to be able to rehabilitate, just if they pass a test, you're going to end up with people who have absolutely no skill or training," said Labbie.

Current guidelines to obtain a permit requires an individual to take a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit Basic Skills Course in addition to gaining hands-on experience and verification of access to veterinary services. Labbie who has over thirty years of experience says sometimes the process could take a little over a year depending on the number of species a rehabilitation facility will house.

"I had to do hands on training for over a year to do different species of mammals," Labbie explained.

The bill's proposal aims to simplify the process in becoming a licensed wildlife rehabilitator by removing some of the burdens in obtaining a permit. An individual will no longer need a verification of access to vetinary services, they will get a 24 hour notice of a spot inspection and will be required to only take an online course. Labbie says the current regulations are in place to keep wildlife and people safe, and if changes are implemented, this could be detrimental.

"There are rules and regulations set in place to prevent animals from becoming a nuisance, to prevent imprinting on these animals, to prevent zoonotic diseases from spreading. And the way this new bill is being proposed will water down every aspect of this," said Labbie.

More information on the proposed bill can be found here and a petition for.

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