SB 152: Allow wild animal rehab facility to get euthanasia drug permit - Ohio

As Passed by the House → As Enrolled · 6 edits · Mar 4, 2026

MODERATE

This bill amends Ohio's pharmacy laws to create a new licensing pathway for animal shelters, wild animal rehabilitation facilities, and county dog wardens to legally possess and administer euthanasia drugs. It also clarifies legal definitions regarding pharmacies, pharmacists, and the sale of drugs to ensure these new facilities operate within the regulatory framework.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of entities authorized to handle controlled euthanasia medications by adding animal shelters, rehabilitation facilities, and dog wardens to the list of eligible licensees, whereas previously only pharmacies and specific medical professionals were covered.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a specific limited license category for animal shelters, wild animal rehabilitation facilities, and county dog wardens to purchase and administer euthanasia drugs.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated that staff at the new eligible facilities must complete a state-approved euthanasia technician certification course before handling lethal injection drugs.

Modified the rules for terminal distributor licenses to allow specific exceptions for animal shelters and dog wardens, permitting them to possess and use drugs in the course of business even if they do not have a standard retail pharmacy location.

DEFINITION

Created new definitions for 'wild animal rehabilitation facility,' 'animal shelter,' and 'county dog warden' to clarify their legal status under the pharmacy code.

Updated the definition of 'practice of pharmacy' to explicitly include counseling and drug therapy reviews, refining the scope of what constitutes professional pharmacy care.

Added a new definition for 'overdose reversal drug' to include naloxone and other FDA-approved opioid reversal agents.

As Passed by the Senate → As Passed by the House · 7 edits · Oct 29, 2025

MODERATE

The House amended the bill to expand the scope of the new euthanasia drug license to include county dog wardens in addition to animal shelters and wild animal rehabilitation facilities. The amendment also added a new section requiring pharmacies to display specific price information for prescriptions and updated the list of professionals authorized to prescribe drugs.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly includes county dog wardens as eligible entities to receive a limited license for administering euthanasia drugs, whereas the Senate version only listed animal shelters and wild animal rehabilitation facilities.

ELIGIBILITY

Added county dog wardens to the list of entities eligible for a limited license to administer euthanasia drugs.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section requiring pharmacies to advertise price information for prescriptions, including the drug name, strength, dosage form, and total price charged to the consumer.

Updated the list of licensed health professionals authorized to prescribe drugs to include certified mental health assistants with physician-delegated prescriptive authority.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of 'Prescription' to include specific orders for sexually transmitted infection treatments, epinephrine autoinjectors for schools/camps, and glucagon for schools/camps.

Added new definitions for various terms including 'Retail seller', 'Wholesale distributor', 'Terminal distributor', 'Outsourcing facility', and 'Repackager' to clarify drug distribution roles.

Added a definition for 'Wild animal rehabilitation facility' to ensure clarity regarding the new license category.

SCOPE

Added '4729.36' to the list of sections being amended, which governs the unauthorized use of pharmacy-related terms.

As Introduced → As Passed by the Senate · 6 edits · May 28, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends Ohio pharmacy laws to create a new licensing pathway for animal shelters, wild animal rehabilitation facilities, and county dog wardens to legally purchase and administer euthanasia drugs. The changes establish specific training requirements for staff, define the types of drugs and methods allowed for humane euthanasia, and clarify how these entities fit into the state's dangerous drug distribution system.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the dangerous drug distribution system to include non-traditional entities like animal shelters and rehabilitation facilities, previously not explicitly covered under these specific licensing provisions.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new limited license category specifically for animal shelters, wild animal rehabilitation facilities, and county dog wardens to purchase and administer euthanasia drugs.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated that staff performing euthanasia must complete a state-approved certification course covering pharmacology, legal regulations, stress management, and proper disposal.

Specified that euthanasia must be performed using specific humane methods (intravenous, intraperitoneal, intracardial, or oral) with approved manufactured dosage forms.

DEFINITION

Created new definitions for 'animal shelter', 'county dog warden', and 'wild animal rehabilitation facility' to clarify which organizations are eligible for the new license.

Updated the definition of 'prescription' to include specific orders for epinephrine autoinjectors and glucagon issued to schools and camps.

Added new definitions for various pharmacy-related terms including 'overdose reversal drug', 'outsourcing facility', 'repackager', and 'third-party logistics provider'.

Allow wild animal rehab facility to get euthanasia drug permit

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