This California law mandates specific methods for killing certain animals like cattle, sheep, and poultry. These animals must be made unconscious prior to slaughter, either by using tools like a captive bolt or gunshot or through methods mandated by certain religious practices, like Jewish rituals, which involve quickly cutting the arteries to cause unconsciousness. The requirement does not apply to spent hens and small game birds. Additionally, any business involved in animal slaughter for commercial use is required to follow these guidelines, including state agencies when buying or selling these animals.

The law requires the department to create and enforce rules about the slaughtering of poultry by the end of 1993. These rules apply to anyone involved in the business of slaughtering poultry that ends up being sold or used commercially, but there are some exceptions for certain poultry plants that are exempt from specific chapters.

This law states that regulations for slaughtering animals in California should be as similar as possible to the guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Department of Agriculture in California is responsible for enforcing rules about how animals are slaughtered, as described in Section 19501. By March 1, 1968, and whenever needed after that, the department must set methods for slaughtering different kinds of livestock, ensuring they align with Section 19501's standards. They can also approve other methods not mentioned in Section 19501, but can't ban any methods that Section 19501 allows.