Well I think JLC meant that some species could be endangered in certain states and may be protected. I live in kansas and I know that in some of the surrounding states it's illegal to keep even some species of snakes because they are endangered or threatened there. The law is always good to take into consideration because it's there for a reason. To protect certain species.

Anyway. It is a good idea to let the babies go during the warmer months. I keep and have kept garter snakes and they can get very tame fast. Might be better to keep the adult if thats what you want to do but definitely see if its legal.