Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 572 amends provisions of the Health and Safety Code relating to the euthanasia of animals in the custody of animal shelters. The bill prescribes legal methods of euthanizing certain animals and requires the Texas Board of Health by rule to establish standards and procedures specifically for the use of sodium pentobarbital and commercially compressed carbon monoxide. Senate Bill 572 establishes a training course and curriculum for euthanasia technicians, requires the Texas Department of Health to approve the curriculum and sponsors of the course, and prohibits certain technicians who have not completed the training from euthanizing an animal in a shelter. The bill makes it a Class B misdemeanor to violate the subchapter or a board rule adopted relating to euthanasia of animals. The bill repeals the provision in previous law that listed prohibited methods of killing an animal in a shelter.

            Senate Bill 572 takes effect September 1, 2003, except for provisions relating to the requirements for administering sodium pentobarbital and commercially compressed carbon monoxide, and the training for euthanasia technicians, which take effect January 1, 2005.