Update July 7, 2010: A Senate Committee substitute version of H.B. 1741 has now passed the Senate and the House.

H.B. 1741 would allow animal shelters to obtain a license from the Dept. of Agriculture and federal Drug Enforcement Agency for direct purchase and acquistion of sodium pentobarbital and other drugs used for euthanasia by injection. A "direct access" law would mean shelters would not be required to rely on a veterinarian to obtain the drugs for them. The idea is to facilitate the use of euthanasia by lethal injection rather than CO gas chambers.

This bill would also require the Dept. of Agriculture to issue regulations related to the licensing of certified euthanasia technicians. Currently, the Dept. is not mandated to do so. The bill states the regulations may provide for the denial, revocation or suspension of the license for anyone who violates the regulations, has been convicted or pleaded guilty or "no contest" to any felony including any related to illegal drugs, a misdemeanor that involves animal abuse or neglect, or any offense related to duties of a euthanasia technician; makes a false statement or omission in the course of certification, reinstatement or renewal, or is otherwise ineligible. The Dept. of Justice may provide background checks or other information about euthanasia technicians in connection with the certification process  or renewal of the license.