Sec.26-55-7. Importation, transportation or liberation of butterflies

(a) No person, firm or corporation shall import into this state, transport for the purpose of liberation within this state or liberate butterflies, in any life stage.

(b) The commissioner shall exempt from the provisions of subsection (a) of this section organizations or institutions such as municipal parks, zoos, laboratories and research facilities maintained by scientific or educational institutions, museums, public nonprofit aquaria or nature centers, as defined in section 26-55-6 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, except that the butterflies, in any life stage shall not be liberated to nor have access to the outside environment and provided:

(1) Any butterflies, in any life stage originating outside of Connecticut shall be permitted by the United States Department of Agriculture, and be in compliance with all other state or federal laws.

(2) The commissioner may inspect butterflies, in any life stage, being brought into the state and may order that butterflies, in any life stage, suspected of carrying diseases, pathogens or parasites capable of inducing any disease, be disposed of, at the expense of the person, firm, or corporation possessing them.

(3) The transporter of butterflies, in any life stage, shall be in possession of a copy of any applicable United States Department of Agriculture’s permit covering such butterflies and any applicable butterfly health certification. Any box, package or container holding live butterflies, in any life stage, transported by a common carrier and destined for delivery in this state shall have attached thereto and in plain view a copy of the permit covering such importation and any applicable butterfly health certification.

(Effective February 4, 2020)