Source: https://www.animallaw.info/statute/pa-euthanasia-animal-destruction-method-authorization-law
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 05:52:59+00:00

Document:
Full Statute Name: Purdon's Pennsylvania Statutes and Consolidated Statutes. Title 3 P.S. Agriculture. Chapter 7. Domestic Animals. Animal Destruction Method Authorization Law. Chapter 1. Preliminary Provisions. Chapter 3. Methodology. Chapter 5. Administration and Enforcement. Chapter 11. Miscellaneous Provisions.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Animal Destruction Method Authorization Law.
1983, Dec. 22, P.L. 303, No. 83, § 101, added 2012, Oct. 24, P.L. 1452, No. 182, § 1, effective in 180 days [April 22, 2013].
(1) A nonprofit society or association incorporated under 15 Pa.C.S. Ch. 53 Subch. A (relating to incorporation generally) for the purpose of the prevention of cruelty to animals.
(2) A municipality which operates an animal shelter.
“Board.” The State Board of Veterinary Medicine.
(2) All cats and dogs.
1983, Dec. 22, P.L. 303, No. 83, § 102, added 2012, Oct. 24, P.L. 1452, No. 182, § 1, effective in 180 days [April 22, 2013].
(1) A high altitude decompression chamber or decompression device.
(2) Unacceptable agents and methods published in the most current version of the American Veterinary Medical Association's Guidelines on Euthanasia.
(4) Chloroform, ether, halothane or fluothane.
(5) Carbon monoxide gas from any source.
1983, Dec. 22, P.L. 303, No. 83, § 1, effective in 6 months. Renumbered as § 301 and amended 2012, Oct. 24, P.L. 1452, No. 182, § 3, effective in 90 days [Jan. 22, 2013].
(b) Authorized method.--Nothing in this act shall prevent a person or animal protection organization from destroying an animal by means of firearms.
(1) Except as set forth in paragraph (2), the use of commercially available injectable euthanasia solution approved by the Food and Drug Administration for that purpose shall be the exclusive method for euthanasia of small domestic animals.
(2) If euthanasia solution becomes unavailable, the board may issue a waiver of the requirements of this section which would permit the use of any method of euthanasia that is consistent with both the standard of care as defined by the board and the most current version of the American Veterinary Medical Association's Guidelines on Euthanasia.
(d) Exception for dangerous small domestic animals.--In cases where a small domestic animal under the care and control of any person or animal protection organization poses an imminent threat to human or animal life, an alternative method of euthanasia may be used if it is in accordance with section 301.
(e) Tranquilization.--An animal may be tranquilized with a substance approved by the Food and Drug Administration before euthanasia commences.
1983, Dec. 22, P.L. 303, No. 83, § 2, effective in 6 months. Renumbered as § 302 and amended 2012, Oct. 24, P.L. 1452, No. 182, § 3, effective in 180 days [April 22, 2013].
(1) This act shall not apply and nothing in this act shall prevent the destruction of an animal by a means not otherwise prohibited by law performed in the course of normal agricultural operation.
(2) As used in this section, the term “normal agricultural operation” has the meaning given in section 2 of the act of June 10, 1982 (P.L. 454, No. 133),1 referred to as the Right-to-Farm Law, without regard to area utilized or anticipated yearly income to result from the agricultural operation.
(A) Registered and inspected under the Animal Welfare Act (Public Law 89-544, 7 U.S.C. § 2131 et seq.).
(B) Subject to the Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals under the Public Health Service Act (58 Stat. 682, 42 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.).
(C) Subject to the provisions of 21 CFR Pt. 58 (relating to good laboratory practice for nonclinical laboratory studies) under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (52 Stat. 1040, 21 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.) or the Public Health Service Act.
1983, Dec. 22, P.L. 303, No. 83, § 4, effective in 6 months. Renumbered as § 303 and amended 2012, Oct. 24, P.L. 1452, No. 182, § 3.2, effective in 180 days [April 22, 2013].
1 3 P.S. § 952.
2 3 P.S. § 328.302.
3 3 P.S. § 328.301.
4 63 P.S. § 485.1 et seq.
(1) An animal protection organization may apply to the board for the sole purpose of being authorized to purchase, possess and administer drugs approved for euthanasia under section 3021 in accordance with regulations promulgated under this act and the act of December 27, 1974 (P.L. 995, No. 326),2 known as the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.
(2) An animal protection organization authorized under paragraph (1) may not permit a person to administer drugs approved for euthanasia unless that person holds a current euthanasia technician license under subsections (b) and (c) or is a person licensed as a veterinarian under the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, if the department suspends or revokes a kennel license of an animal protection organization under the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L. 784, No. 225),3 known as the Dog Law, the authorization to purchase, possess and administer drugs approved for euthanasia under subsection (c) shall be immediately revoked at that kennel and the department shall report the suspension or revocation to the board. The department shall report all suspected violations of this act to the board.
(1) The board shall regulate and enforce the provisions of this act, including the authority to inspect an animal protection organization and revoke a license or authorization issued under this act.
(ii) promulgate regulations within 18 months of the effective date of this paragraph.
(i) Meets the eligibility criteria established by the board which shall include knowledge of the Commonwealth's statutes and regulations relating to euthanasia.
(VII) any other courses approved by the board.
(B) Is a euthanasia technician registered or licensed under the laws of another state or territory of the United States which has requirements substantially similar to the requirements of this section and presents satisfactory proof to the board of being engaged in the practice of euthanasia for a period of at least one year out of the past five years.
(C) Meets other requirements established by the board.
(ii) promulgating regulations within 18 months of the effective date of this subsection.
(d) Cooperation.--For the purpose of enforcement of this act, the board may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the department and designate the department to act as its authorized agent for the limited purposes of inspecting and monitoring animal protection organizations, and persons who euthanize animals on behalf of animal protection organizations, for compliance with the applicable requirements and any implementing regulations.
1983, Dec. 22, P.L. 303, No. 83, § 6, effective in 6 months. Renumbered as § 304 and amended 2012, Oct. 24, P.L. 1452, No. 182, § 5, effective in 180 days [April 22, 2013].
1 3 P.S. § 328.302.
2 63 P.S. § 485.1 et seq.
3 3 P.S. § 459-101 et seq.
4 Subsec. (b)(2) added by 2012, Oct. 24, P.L. 1452, No. 182, § 5, effective in 180 days [April 22, 2013].
5 Subsec. (c)(2) added by 2012, Oct. 24, P.L. 1452, No. 182, § 5, effective in 180 days [April 22, 2013].
Upon request, any veterinarian or animal protection organization utilizing an euthanasia method for the destruction of small domestic animals must disclose all methods that are utilized by the person.
1983, Dec. 22, P.L. 303, No. 83, § 305, added 2012, Oct. 24, P.L. 1452, No. 182, § 5.1, effective in 180 days [April 22, 2013].
Any person, animal protection organization or other organization which, on the effective date of this act, has in its possession a chamber or device, the use of which is prohibited by this act, shall, within 30 days of the effective date of this act, dismantle and render inoperative the chamber or device.
1983, Dec. 22, P.L. 303, No. 83, § 7, effective in 6 months. Renumbered as § 501 and amended 2012, Oct. 24, P.L. 1452, No. 182, § 7, effective in 180 days [April 22, 2013].
(a) Additional penalties.--Any penalty imposed by the board under this section shall be in addition to the civil and criminal penalties provided for under the act of December 27, 1974 (P.L. 995, No. 326),1 known as the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.
(b) Destruction of small domestic animals.--Any person or animal protection organization not authorized or licensed under this act that is found in violation of this act by the board shall be fined not to exceed $500 per violation day. The board may impose an additional penalty of $1,000 per violation for a second or subsequent violation of this act.
(1) In addition to any other civil penalty provided for under this act, the board may impose a civil penalty of up to $10,000 on any current licensee or certificate holder who violates any provision of this act or any person who practices as a euthanasia technician without being properly licensed under this act.
(2) The penalty under paragraph (1) may be imposed by the board after affording the accused party the opportunity for a hearing, as provided under 2 Pa.C.S. (relating to administrative law and procedure).
(d) Disposition of fines.--All fines and civil penalties imposed in accordance with this act shall be paid into the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account.
1983, Dec. 22, P.L. 303, No. 83, § 9, effective in 6 months. Renumbered as § 502 and amended 2012, Oct. 24, P.L. 1452, No. 182, § 9, effective in 180 days [April 22, 2013].
1 63 P.S. § 485.1 et seq.
Nothing in this act shall be construed to permit the performance of any methods of destruction provided for herein on any human person.
1983, Dec. 22, P.L. 303, No. 83, § 10, effective in 6 months. Renumbered as § 1101 2012, Oct. 24, P.L. 1452, No. 182, § 11, effective in 180 days [April 22, 2013].

References: § 101
 § 1
 § 102
 § 1
 § 1
 § 301
 § 3
 § 2
 § 302
 § 3
 § 2131
 § 201
 § 301
 § 4
 § 303
 § 3
 § 952
 § 328
 § 328
 § 485
 § 6
 § 304
 § 5
 § 328
 § 485
 § 459
 § 5
 § 5
 § 305
 § 5
 § 7
 § 501
 § 7
 § 9
 § 502
 § 9
 § 485
 § 10
 § 1101
 § 11