S.B. No. 497
AN ACT
relating to the processing and sale of kratom and kratom products;
providing civil penalties; creating a criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the Texas Kratom
Consumer Health and Safety Protection Act.
SECTION 2. Subtitle A, Title 6, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 444 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 444. MANUFACTURE, DISTRIBUTION, AND SALE OF
KRATOM PRODUCTS
Sec. 444.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Food" has the meaning assigned by Section
431.002.
(2) "Kratom" means any part of the leaf of the plant
Mitragyna speciosa.
(3) "Kratom processor" means a person who:
(A) manufactures, prepares, distributes, or
maintains kratom products for sale;
(B) advertises, represents, or holds oneself out
as a manufacturer, preparer, or seller of kratom products;
(C) is responsible for ensuring the purity and
proper labeling of kratom products; or
(D) packages or labels kratom products.
(4) "Kratom product" means a food, including an
extract, capsule, or pill, containing any form of kratom.
(5) "Kratom retailer" means a kratom processor who
sells kratom products to consumers or who advertises, represents,
or holds oneself out as a person who sells kratom products to
consumers.
Sec. 444.002. LABEL REQUIRED. (a) A kratom processor shall
label each kratom product with the product use directions necessary
to ensure safe use of the product by a consumer, including the
recommended serving size for the product.
(b) A kratom retailer may only sell a kratom product that is
properly labeled in accordance with this section.
Sec. 444.003. ADULTERATED, CONTAMINATED, AND PROHIBITED
KRATOM PRODUCTS. A kratom processor or kratom retailer may not
prepare, distribute, sell, or offer to sell a kratom product that:
(1) is adulterated with a dangerous non-kratom
substance affecting the quality or strength of the product to a
degree that renders the product injurious to a consumer;
(2) is contaminated with a poisonous or otherwise
deleterious non-kratom substance, including any substance
designated as a controlled substance by Chapter 481 (Texas
Controlled Substances Act);
(3) contains a level of 7-hydroxymitragynine in the
alkaloid fraction that is greater than two percent of the overall
alkaloid composition of the product; or
(4) contains any synthetic alkaloids, including
synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine and synthetically derived compounds
from a kratom plant.
Sec. 444.004. OFFENSE FOR DISTRIBUTION OR SALE OF KRATOM
PRODUCT TO MINOR. (a) A person commits an offense if the person
distributes, sells, or exposes for sale a kratom product to an
individual younger than 18 years of age.
(b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Sec. 444.005. CIVIL PENALTY. (a) A person who violates
this chapter is subject to a civil penalty in the amount of:
(1) $250 for the first violation;
(2) $500 for the second violation; and
(3) $1,000 for each subsequent violation.
(b) Each day a violation continues or occurs is a separate
violation for purposes of imposing a penalty under this section.
(c) A kratom retailer is not liable for a civil penalty
under this section for a violation of Section 444.002 or 444.003 if
the kratom retailer proves by a preponderance of the evidence that
the violation was unintentional and due to the kratom retailer's
good faith reliance on the representation of another kratom
processor.
(d) The attorney general or the district or county attorney
for the county or municipal attorney for the municipality in which
the violation is alleged to have occurred may bring an action to
recover a civil penalty under this section.
Sec. 444.006. PENALTIES UNDER OTHER LAW. The penalties
prescribed by this chapter are in addition to any other penalties
prescribed by law, including penalties prescribed by Chapters 431
and 481.
Sec. 444.007. RULES. The executive commissioner may adopt
rules consistent with this chapter as necessary to ensure the safe
consumption and distribution of kratom and kratom products.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 497 passed the Senate on
March 16, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 2.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 497 passed the House on
April 21, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 125, Nays 14, two
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor