Bill introduced to keep lethal injection drug source secret

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Legislation that would bar Idaho officials from releasing where they obtain the drugs used in lethal injection executions was introduced by the House State Affairs Committee on Monday.

The Idaho Department of Corrections has long tried to keep details about where and how it obtains lethal injection drugs secret, but the bill from Caldwell Republican Rep. Bill Cheney would make that secrecy part of state law.

Chaney says the secrecy bill is needed because anti-death penalty advocates could try to publicly shame companies that provide the drugs.

He says some drug suppliers have refused to sell to Idaho without a promise of anonymity.