HB147 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Demetrius C. Newton

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Allen TreadawayRon JohnsonAlan BootheMary Sue McClurkinRod ScottK.L. BrownTerri CollinsWilliam RobertsLynn GreerApril WeaverMike HubbardBlaine GalliherBarry MaskMike MillicanElwyn ThomasCraig FordMike HillMac McCutcheonPaul DeMarcoSteve McMillanJamie IsonJim McClendonRandy WoodSteve ClouseBecky Nordgren

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Euthanasia of cats and dogs in animal shelters, gas chambers prohibited, delayed effective date, Beckham's Act, Sec. 34-29-131 am'd.

Summary

HB147 would ban gas chambers for euthanizing dogs and cats in shelters after 2011 and replace that method with injectable drugs and new staff and facility rules.

What This Bill Does

It amends the euthanasia rules for shelters to prohibit gas chamber use after December 31, 2011. It requires sodium pentobarbital or a similar injectable agent to be the primary method, with carbon monoxide and inhalant gases allowed as alternatives under board rules. Euthanasia must be performed only by a licensed veterinarian or by trained shelter staff who have completed a certification course (with an exemption for licensed veterinary technicians under certain regulations). Shelters that used gas chambers before 2012 must dismantle and remove them within 30 days after January 1, 2012 and report documentation to the board. The act takes effect December 31, 2011.

Who It Affects

• Animal shelters and their operations, which must stop using gas chambers after 12/31/2011 and adopt injectable euthanasia methods and related procedures.
• Shelter staff and veterinary personnel, who must follow new certification and training requirements (with limited exemptions) and adhere to new rules on euthanasia practices.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits the use of gas chambers for euthanasia of dogs and cats after December 31, 2011; designates the act as Beckham's Act and amends Section 34-29-131.
• Requires sodium pentobarbital or other approved injectable agents to be the primary euthanasia method for dogs and cats at shelters; allows CO and inhalant gases as alternatives under board rules with specific safety and training requirements.
• Mandates that euthanasia be performed only by a licensed veterinarian or a trained facility employee/agent who has completed a board-approved certification course (with a veterinary technician exception).
• Shelters that operated gas chambers before 2012 must dismantle and remove them within 30 days after January 1, 2012 and provide documentation to the board; the act becomes effective on December 31, 2011.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Animal Shelters