Conservation, wildlife; Alabama Good Samaritan Wildlife Rehabilitation Act established.

HB 448, the Alabama Good Samaritan Wildlife Rehabilitation Act, authorizes individuals to provide temporary care for injured, orphaned, or debilitated wild birds and animals, excluding those that are federally protected or endangered. Individuals providing care must notify the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources of the care dates, and treatment cannot exceed six months. Upon release, the animal must be returned to the general area where it was found. The bill clarifies that it does not authorize the practice of veterinary medicine or exempt individuals from animal cruelty laws, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will adopt rules for its administration. This act is set to become effective on October 1, 2025.