Rep. John A. Fritchey

Filed: 4/15/2008

 

 


 

 


 
09500HB4844ham003 LRB095 18962 RCE 49516 a

1
AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 4844

2     AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 4844, AS AMENDED, by
3 replacing everything after the enacting clause with the
4 following:
 
5     "Section 5. The Humane Care for Animals Act is amended
6 changing 3.02 and by adding Section 3.09 as follows:
 
7     (510 ILCS 70/3.02)
8     Sec. 3.02. Aggravated cruelty.
9     (a) No person may intentionally commit an act that causes a
10 companion animal to suffer serious injury or death. Aggravated
11 cruelty does not include euthanasia of a companion animal
12 through recognized methods approved by the Department of
13 Agriculture unless prohibited under subsection (b) or (c).
14     (b) No individual, except a licensed veterinarian as
15 exempted under Section 3.09, may knowingly or intentionally
16 euthanize or authorize the euthanasia of a companion animal by

 

 

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1 use of carbon monoxide.
2     (c) No individual may knowingly or intentionally euthanize
3 or authorize the euthanasia of a companion animal by any of the
4 following means:
5         (1) by means of placing the companion animal in a
6     decompression chamber and lowering the pressure of the
7     oxygen content in the air surrounding the animal; or
8         (2) by use of carbon dioxide.
9     (d) A person convicted of violating Section 3.02 is guilty
10 of a Class 4 felony. A second or subsequent violation is a
11 Class 3 felony. In addition to any other penalty provided by
12 law, upon conviction for violating this Section, the court may
13 order the convicted person to undergo a psychological or
14 psychiatric evaluation and to undergo any treatment at the
15 convicted person's expense that the court determines to be
16 appropriate after due consideration of the evaluation. If the
17 convicted person is a juvenile or a companion animal hoarder,
18 the court must order the convicted person to undergo a
19 psychological or psychiatric evaluation and to undergo
20 treatment that the court determines to be appropriate after due
21 consideration of the evaluation.
22 (Source: P.A. 92-650, eff. 7-11-02.)
 
23     (510 ILCS 70/3.09 new)
24     Sec. 3.09. Carbon monoxide euthanasia by a licensed
25 veterinarian. A licensed veterinarian may euthanize a

 

 

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1 companion animal in a commercially manufactured chamber by use
2 of compressed carbon monoxide. The veterinarian must be
3 physically present during the euthanasia process until death is
4 confirmed. The veterinarian must take the following steps when
5 using a gas chamber:
6         (1) Render a written opinion for each companion animal
7     including the following:
8             (A) a description of the animal including species,
9         color, age, sex, and microchip number if present.
10             (B) a signed and dated statement that the use of
11         compressed carbon monoxide is the most humane method of
12         euthanasia for this companion animal.
13         (2) Use a commercially manufactured chamber pursuant
14     to the guidelines set forth in the most recent report of
15     the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia. The interior of the chamber
16     must be well lit and equipped with view-ports, a regulator,
17     and a flow meter. Monitoring equipment must be used at all
18     times during the operation. Animals that are under 4 months
19     of age, old, injured, or sick may not be euthanized by
20     carbon monoxide. Animals shall remain in the chamber and be
21     exposed for a minimum of 20 minutes. Staff members shall be
22     fully notified of potential health risks.
23         (3) Only one companion animal may be euthanized at a
24     time.
 
25     Section 10. The Humane Euthanasia in Animal Shelters Act is

 

 

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1 amended by changing Sections 35, 57, 65, and 90 and by adding
2 Sections 36, 66, and 91 as follows:
 
3     (510 ILCS 72/35)
4     Sec. 35. Technician certification; duties.
5     (a) An applicant for certification as a euthanasia
6 technician shall file an application with the Department and
7 shall:
8         (1) Be 18 years of age.
9         (2) Be of good moral character. In determining moral
10     character under this Section, the Department may take into
11     consideration whether the applicant has engaged in conduct
12     or activities that would constitute grounds for discipline
13     under this Act.
14         (3) Each applicant for certification as a euthanasia
15     technician shall have his or her fingerprints submitted to
16     the Department of State Police in an electronic format that
17     complies with the form and manner for requesting and
18     furnishing criminal history record information as
19     prescribed by the Department of State Police. These
20     fingerprints shall be checked against the Department of
21     State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal
22     history record databases now and hereafter filed. The
23     Department of State Police shall charge applicants a fee
24     for conducting the criminal history records check, which
25     shall be deposited in the State Police Services Fund and

 

 

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1     shall not exceed the actual cost of the records check. The
2     Department of State Police shall furnish, pursuant to
3     positive identification, records of Illinois convictions
4     to the Department.
5         (4) Hold a license or certification from the American
6     Humane Association, the National Animal Control
7     Association, the Illinois Federation of Humane Societies,
8     or the Humane Society of the United States issued within 3
9     years preceding the date of application. Every 5 years a
10     certified euthanasia technician must renew his or her
11     certification with the Department. At the time of renewal,
12     the technician must present proof that he or she attended a
13     class or seminar that teaches techniques or guidelines, or
14     both, for humane animal euthanasia administered by the
15     American Humane Association, the National Animal Control
16     Association, the Illinois Federation of Humane Societies,
17     or the Humane Society of the United States.
18         For a period of 12 months after the adoption of final
19     administrative rules for this Act, the Department may issue
20     a certification to an applicant who holds a license or
21     certification from the American Humane Association, the
22     National Animal Control Association, the Illinois
23     Federation of Humane Societies, or the Humane Society of
24     the United States issued after January 1, 1997.
25         (5) Pay the required fee.
26     (b) The duties of a euthanasia technician shall include but

 

 

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1 are not limited to:
2         (1) preparing animals for euthanasia and scanning each
3     animal, prior to euthanasia, for microchips;
4         (2) accurately recording the dosages administered and
5     the amount of drugs wasted;
6         (3) ordering supplies;
7         (4) maintaining the security of all controlled
8     substances and drugs;
9         (5) humanely euthanizing animals via intravenous
10     injection by hypodermic needle, intraperitoneal injection
11     by hypodermic needle, solutions or powder added to food or
12     by mouth, intracardiac injection only on comatose animals
13     by hypodermic needle, or carbon monoxide in a commercially
14     manufactured chamber; and
15         (6) properly disposing of euthanized animals after
16     verification of death.
17     (c) A euthanasia technician employed by a euthanasia agency
18 may perform euthanasia by the administration of a Schedule II
19 or Schedule III nonnarcotic controlled substance. A euthanasia
20 technician may not personally possess, order, or administer a
21 controlled substance except as an agent of the euthanasia
22 agency.
23     (d) Upon termination from a euthanasia agency, a euthanasia
24 technician shall not perform animal euthanasia until he or she
25 is employed by another certified euthanasia agency.
26     (e) A certified euthanasia technician or an instructor in

 

 

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1 an approved course does not engage in the practice of
2 veterinary medicine when performing duties set forth in this
3 Act.
4 (Source: P.A. 92-449, eff. 1-1-02; 93-626, eff. 12-23-03.)
 
5     (510 ILCS 72/36 new)
6     Sec. 36. Certificate issuance restrictions. The Department
7 shall not issue a certificate to any individual convicted in
8 Illinois of a forcible felony, a felony violation of the Humane
9 Care for Animals Act, a felony violation of Article 24 of the
10 Criminal Code of 1961, a felony violation of Class 3 or higher
11 of the Cannabis Control Act, a felony violation of Class 2 or
12 higher of the Methamphetamine Control and Community Prevention
13 Act, or any violation of Section 12-35 or 26-5 of the Criminal
14 Code of 1961, or convicted in another jurisdiction of the
15 United States of an offense substantially similar to any of the
16 specified Illinois offenses.
 
17     (510 ILCS 72/57)
18     Sec. 57. Procedures for euthanasia.
19     (a) Only euthanasia drugs and commercially compressed
20 carbon monoxide, subject to the limitations imposed under
21 subsection (b) of this Section, shall be used for the purpose
22 of humanely euthanizing injured, sick, homeless, or unwanted
23 companion animals in an animal shelter or an animal control
24 facility licensed under the Illinois Animal Welfare Act.

 

 

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1     (b) (Blank). Commercially compressed carbon monoxide may
2 be used as a permitted method of euthanasia provided that it is
3 performed in a commercially manufactured chamber pursuant to
4 the guidelines set forth in the most recent report of the AVMA
5 Panel on Euthanasia. A chamber that is designed to euthanize
6 more than one animal at a time must be equipped with
7 independent sections or cages to separate incompatible
8 animals. The interior of the chamber must be well lit and
9 equipped with view-ports, a regulator, and a flow meter.
10 Monitoring equipment must be used at all times during the
11 operation. Animals that are under 4 months of age, old,
12 injured, or sick may not be euthanized by carbon monoxide.
13 Animals shall remain in the chamber and be exposed for a
14 minimum of 20 minutes. Staff members shall be fully notified of
15 potential health risks.
16     (c) Animals cannot be transported beyond State lines for
17 the sole purpose of euthanasia unless the euthanasia methods
18 comply with subsection (a) or (b) of this Section and the
19 euthanasia is performed by a certified euthanasia technician.
20 (Source: P.A. 92-449, eff. 1-1-02; 93-626, eff. 12-23-03.)
 
21     (510 ILCS 72/65)
22     Sec. 65. Refused issuance, suspension, or revocation of
23 certification. The Department shall refuse to renew or shall
24 revoke a euthanasia technician certification and may impose a
25 fine not to exceed $1,000 for a certified euthanasia technician

 

 

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1 for any one or combination of the following reasons, each of
2 which is a violation of the Act:
3     (1) Failing to carry out any of the following duties of a
4 euthanasia technician:
5         (A) scanning for microchips or other identification
6     prior to euthanasia;
7         (B) maintaining the security of all controlled
8     substances and drugs;
9         (C) humanely euthanizing animals by intravenous
10     injection by hypodermic needle, intraperitoneal injection
11     by hypodermic needle, solutions or powder added to food or
12     by mouth, intracardiac injection only on comatose animals
13     by hypodermic needle; or
14         (D) verification of death by using a cardiac puncture
15     or stethoscope or by recognizing the signs of rigor mortis.
16     (2) Abusing the use of any controlled or illegal chemical
17 substance.
18     (3) Selling, stealing, or giving controlled or illegal
19 chemical substances away.
20     (4) Abetting anyone in the activities listed in this
21 Section.
22     (5) Violating any provision of the Illinois Animal Welfare
23 Act, the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act, or the Illinois
24 Controlled Substances Act.
25     (6) Acting as a euthanasia technician outside of the scope
26 of his or her employment with a certified euthanasia agency or

 

 

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1 while not employed by a certified euthanasia agency. The
2 Department may refuse to issue, renew, or restore a
3 certification or may revoke or suspend a certification, or
4 place on probation, reprimand, impose a fine not to exceed
5 $1,000 for each violation, or take other disciplinary action as
6 the Department may deem proper with regard to a certified
7 euthanasia agency or a certified euthanasia technician for any
8 one or combination of the following reasons:
9         (1) failing to carry out the duties of a euthanasia
10     technician;
11         (2) abusing the use of any chemical substance;
12         (3) selling, stealing, or giving chemical substances
13     away;
14         (4) abetting anyone in the activities listed in this
15     subsection; or
16         (5) violating any provision of this Act, the Illinois
17     Controlled Substances Act, the rules adopted under these
18     Acts or any rules adopted by the Department of Professional
19     Regulation concerning the euthanizing of animals.
20 (Source: P.A. 92-449, eff. 1-1-02.)
 
21     (510 ILCS 72/66 new)
22     Sec. 66. Refused issuance or revocation of euthanasia
23 agency certification. The Department shall refuse to renew or
24 shall revoke a euthanasia agency's certification and may impose
25 a fine not to exceed $1,000 for any one of the following

 

 

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1 reasons, each of which is a violation of the Act:
2     (1) Knowingly or willfully allowing a euthanasia
3 technician to perform any of the actions described in Section
4 65 of this Act.
5     (2) Failing to the maintain the security of all controlled
6 substances and drugs.
7     (3) Allowing euthanasia to be performed by an individual
8 other than a certified euthanasia technician, a licensed
9 veterinarian, or an instructor.
10     (4) Failing to comply with the requirements of the Illinois
11 Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act; federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic
12 Act; federal Controlled Substances Act; or the Illinois
13 Controlled Substances Act.
 
14     (510 ILCS 72/90)
15     Sec. 90. Uncertified practice; civil penalty.
16     (a) A person who practices, offers to practice, attempts to
17 practice, or holds himself or herself out as a certified
18 euthanasia technician or a certified euthanasia agency without
19 being certified under this Act shall, in addition to any other
20 penalty provided by law, pay a civil penalty to the Department
21 in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for each offense as
22 determined by the Department. The civil penalty shall be
23 assessed by the Department after a hearing is held in
24 accordance with the provisions set forth in this Act regarding
25 the provision of a hearing for the discipline of a certified

 

 

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1 euthanasia technician or a certified euthanasia agency. The
2 civil penalty must be paid within 60 days after the effective
3 date of the order imposing the civil penalty. The order shall
4 constitute a judgment and may be filed and executed in the same
5 manner as any judgment from any court of record.
6     (b) The Department may investigate any uncertified
7 activity.
8     (c) Instructors or licensed veterinarians teaching humane
9 euthanasia techniques are exempt from the certification
10 process so long as they are currently licensed by another state
11 as a euthanasia technician or as a veterinarian.
12 (Source: P.A. 92-449, eff. 1-1-02.)
 
13     (510 ILCS 72/91 new)
14     Sec. 91. Criminal penalties. An individual, an agency, or a
15 technician who is found to have violated any one of the
16 following provisions of this Act is guilty of a Class A
17 misdemeanor:
18         (1) Euthanasia technician. Any violation of Section
19     65.
20         (2) Euthanasia agency. An administrator, a director, a
21     manager, or a supervisor of a euthanasia agency who
22     knowingly or willfully violates Section 66.
23         (3) Personal. Any person who practices, offers to
24     practice, attempts to practice, or holds himself, herself,
25     or itself out as a certified euthanasia technician or a

 

 

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1     certified euthanasia agency without being certified under
2     this Act.
3     On conviction of a second or subsequent offense, the
4 violator is guilty of a Class 4 felony. The Department shall
5 refer any alleged violation of these provision for the purpose
6 of criminal investigation and prosecution to local law
7 enforcement or the Illinois State Police and to the State's
8 Attorney in the county within which the violation occurred.
9     The Department shall also refer any information it receives
10 that appears to violate the Humane Care for Animals Act for
11 criminal investigation and prosecution to the Illinois State
12 Police and to the State's Attorney in the county within which
13 the violation occurred.
 
14     (510 ILCS 72/165 rep.)
15     Section 15. The Humane Euthanasia in Animal Shelters Act is
16 amended by repealing Section 165.".