Ind. Code ch. 14-22-26.5

Ind. Code ch. 14-22-26.5
in effect

Ind. Code § 14-22-26.5-1 Applicability; permitted physical contact or proximity with a specified animal

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. As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 14-22-26.5-2 "Direct contact"

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. As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 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. As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 14-22-26.5-3 "Proximity"

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. As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 14-22-26.5-3.5 "Public"

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. As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 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). As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 14-22-26.5-5 "Trained"

Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "trained" means having participated in specific instruction with a specified animal. As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 14-22-26.5-6 Prohibition against direct contact with a specified animal

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. As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 14-22-26.5-7 Licensing requirements of the owner of a specified animal

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. As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 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. As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 14-22-26.5-9 Violations

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. As added by P.L.96-2022, SEC.7.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/14Fetched: 10/17/2026