Captive Primate Safety Act

S. 1594 would amend federal law to ban the private possession of nonhuman primates such as chimpanzees, monkeys, apes, lemurs, and other species. If enacted, individuals would no longer be allowed to keep these animals as pets. The bill would allow limited exceptions for licensed zoos, sanctuaries, and research facilities that meet specific standards. Existing private owners would be required to register their animals with federal wildlife authorities.

Proponents argue the bill addresses both public safety and animal welfare concerns. Primates kept as pets are said to pose serious safety risks, as they are unpredictable wild animals that cannot be domesticated and have caused hundreds of injuries to people over recent decades. Additionally, primates have complex social and physical needs that cannot be met in private homes, often resulting in poor living conditions and animal suffering. The bill would establish federal standards to prevent the domestic breeding and sale of primates for the pet trade, which currently operates largely unregulated at the federal level.

The bill is currently under consideration by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and has not yet been voted on by the full chamber.