Sec. 821.055.  TRAINING FOR EUTHANASIA TECHNICIANS.  (a)  A person may not euthanize an animal in the custody of an animal shelter unless the person has successfully completed, not more than three years before the date the person euthanizes the animal, a training course in the proper methods and techniques for euthanizing animals.  The training course curriculum must include:
(1)  the pharmacology, proper administration, and storage of euthanasia solutions;
(2)  federal and state law regulating the storage and accountability of euthanasia solutions;
(3)  euthanasia technician stress management;
(4)  proper restraint and handling of an animal during euthanasia;
(5)  the procedures for administering commercially compressed carbon monoxide to an animal;
(6)  techniques for verifying an animal's death;  and
(7)  the proper disposal of a euthanized animal.
(b)  The department must approve the sponsors and curriculum of the training course required by this section.
(c)  This section does not apply to a person licensed to practice veterinary medicine in this state.
(d)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), an employee of an animal shelter is not required to have successfully completed the training course before the 120th day following the date of initial employment.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 30, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005.