CA SB1018

Amends California Penal Code Section 3604 to specify that lethal injection for death penalty executions shall use an ultra-short-acting barbiturate or similar drug, not in combination with chemical paralytics, effective January 1, 2013.

Removes the requirement that lethal injection be administered intravenously and eliminates sodium thiopental as the specified substance.

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to develop and implement the new lethal injection protocol by January 1, 2013.

Maintains inmates' right to elect execution by lethal gas or lethal injection, with a 10-day window to make the choice after receipt of execution warrant; defaults to lethal injection if no election is made.

Provides that if either execution method is ruled invalid, the alternative method specified in the statute may be used.