WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- In the wake of a highly publicized chimpanzee attack , the U.S. House made its first official move to ban humans from owning primates as pets . Travis , seen here as a younger chimp , was fatally shot by police after attacking a woman , authorities say . The House overwhelmingly voted in favor of passing the Captive Primate Safety Act on Tuesday , which prohibits people from buying or transporting primates across state lines to keep as pets . This legislation amended the Lacey Act , which had only applied to wildlife and fish . The Humane Society of the United States applauded the bill , which passed by a vote of 323 to 95 . `` There is no reason for any private citizen to keep a primate as a pet , and this trade is driven by unscrupulous dealers who sell primates across state lines for thousands of dollars , '' said Wayne Pacelle , president and CEO of the HSUS . Last week , Charla Nash , 55 , was left with severe trauma to her face , scalp and hands after her neighbor 's pet chimpanzee , Travis , mauled her in Stamford , Connecticut . Police shot Travis to halt the attack , and he later died of gunshot wounds . Nash was brought to the famed Cleveland Clinic , where the nation 's first face transplant was performed . Doctors there are contemplating whether to offer her a similar procedure . The bill was introduced by U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer , D-Oregon , and Mark Kirk , R-Illinois , who said it would protect animals and humans from similar attacks . `` As the tragic attack in Connecticut shows us , The Captive Primate Safety Act is necessary , common-sense legislation for the welfare of humans and animals , '' Blumenauer said . `` Make no mistake , this bill will protect communities and ensure the humane treatment of these animals . '' `` It is inhumane to cage primates in private homes . Besides the animal cruelty concerns , the interstate movement of pet primates creates serious public health and safety risks . The Captive Primate Safety Act takes important steps to address these concerns , '' Kirk said . As cute as they can be , primates can inflict serious injuries and spread life-threatening disease , according to the Humane Society . The average pet owner can not provide for their basic social and physical needs in captivity , says the organization , which estimates 15,000 monkeys and other primates are living as either pets or in private zoos . `` As infants , they are fascinating , '' said Beth Preiss , who directs the organization 's Exotic Pet Campaign . `` But they grow up and become dangerous to manage . '' The bill moves now to the Senate , where Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer of California and Republican Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana will lead the effort to pass the legislation . CNN 's Lauren Kornreich contributed to this report .
Bill illegal purchase , transportation of animals across state lines . Bill driven by ` ` unscrupulous dealers '' who sell animals , Humane Society says . Primates can cause serious injuries , cause death , group says . Bill comes 8 days after woman left in serious condition after chimpanzee attack .