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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the euthanasia of animals. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) The Health and Human Services Commission, in |
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conjunction with the Department of Public Safety, shall conduct a |
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study regarding the euthanasia of animals in this state. |
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(b) The study shall address: |
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(1) strategies for minimizing the pain and suffering |
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of animals; |
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(2) alternatives to euthanasia and strategies for |
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promoting pet adoption; |
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(3) methods of euthanasia appropriate for livestock |
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and nonlivestock animals; |
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(4) methods for improving the cost-effectiveness and |
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efficiency of animal shelters in this state, including reexamining |
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the desired scope of practice for staff of animal shelters who are |
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not veterinarians; |
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(5) maximizing access to appropriate drugs and |
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controlled substances for euthanizing animals while minimizing the |
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potential for substance abuse; and |
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(6) any state or federal laws that may conflict with a |
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proposed course of action determined to be beneficial by the study |
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and suggestions for how to resolve the conflict. |
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(c) Based on the study conducted under this section, the |
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Health and Human Services Commission and the Department of Public |
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Safety shall adopt rules and implement programs to improve |
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practices in this state relating to euthanasia of animals. |
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(d) The Health and Human Services Commission and the |
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Department of Public Safety shall jointly submit a report |
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concerning the study to the legislature including, if applicable, |
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recommendations for future legislation, not later than January 1, |
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2013. |
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SECTION 2. Section 481.111(b), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The provisions of this chapter relating to the |
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possession of denatured sodium pentobarbital, acepromazine, or |
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xylazine do not apply to possession by personnel of a humane society |
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or an animal control agency for the purpose of destroying injured, |
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sick, homeless, or unwanted animals if the humane society or animal |
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control agency is registered with the Federal Drug Enforcement |
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Administration. The provisions of this chapter relating to the |
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distribution of denatured sodium pentobarbital, acepromazine, or |
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xylazine do not apply to a person registered as required by |
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Subchapter C, who is distributing the substance for that purpose to |
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a humane society or an animal control agency registered with the |
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Federal Drug Enforcement Administration. |
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SECTION 3. Section 821.052, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: |
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(a-1) A person euthanizing a dog or cat under Subsection (a) |
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may administer the following substances in addition to sodium |
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pentobarbital or commercially compressed carbon monoxide: |
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(1) acepromazine; or |
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(2) xylazine. |
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SECTION 4. An offense under Subchapter D, Chapter 481, |
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Health and Safety Code, involving the possession or distribution of |
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acepromazine or xylazine as authorized by Section 481.111, Health |
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and Safety Code, as amended by this Act, may not be prosecuted after |
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the effective date of this Act. If on the effective date of this Act |
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a criminal action is pending for an offense under Subchapter D |
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involving the possession or distribution of acepromazine or |
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xylazine as authorized by Section 481.111, Health and Safety Code, |
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as amended by this Act, the action is dismissed on that date. |
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However, a final conviction for an offense under Subchapter D |
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involving the possession or distribution of acepromazine or |
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xylazine that exists on the effective date of this Act is unaffected |
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by this Act. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |