Wrap: The bill creates the Non-human Primate Act, which requires those who have great apes or baboons to apply for and purchase a permit through the state to help curb violent monkey attacks, which in the past have left some blind or disformed.

Some primate owners said they worried the permits and rules would be so expensive they may have to give up their animals or move out-of-state. 

Jake Hummel, House Minority Floor Leader sponsors the bill and said the bill actually lowers the permit price. 

Several primate owners spoke in opposition of the bill, saying they already have to comply with strict federal and local guidelines.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Taylor Beck.

Wrap: The House Local Government committee heard a bill which requires those with great apes or baboons to apply for and purchase permits to help prevent monkey attacks.

St. Louis and Kansas City Zoo officials spoke in favor of the bill. 

They cited recent problems like the massive exotic animal escape in Ohio a few years ago as incidents the bill could prevent.

Several private primate owners like Connie Casey said they disagreed.

Opponents said there are few incidents and a lot of regulation and adding a state laws is a waste.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Taylor Beck.

Wrap: The bill requires those with great apes or baboons to apply for and purchase permits in an effort to curb dangerous interactions between humans and monkeys.

In 2009 a chimpanzee attacked a woman, which blinded her and disfigured her face.

But, opponents of the bill say monkey ownership is already heavily regulated enough through the federal and local government.

Debbie Kolwick has owned primates for thirty years and she said regulations from local and federal government are already very extensive.