Virginia House Bill HB1585

Virginia 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/1/25
• Refer: 1/1/25

Caption

Weight loss and muscle building products, certain; selling or distributing to minors prohibited.

Impact

If enacted, HB1585 will significantly impact retail practices regarding dietary products targeting weight management and muscle enhancement. Retailers will be mandated to ensure that customers demonstrate their age through valid identification, thus reinforcing the legal age restrictions. The bill lays forth civil penalties for violations, including fines for first and subsequent offenses, which aims to deter non-compliance. The potential penalties of $500 for initial violations and $2,500 for repeat offenses strengthen the seriousness of adherence to these guidelines, ultimately altering retail compliance dynamics with respect to age restrictions.

Summary

House Bill 1585 aims to amend the Code of Virginia by prohibiting the sale or distribution of over-the-counter diet pills and dietary supplements intended for weight loss or muscle building to individuals under 18 years of age. The bill defines dietary supplements and introduces a framework to ensure age verification before such products can be sold. By establishing strict criteria for marketing and sales, the bill intends to protect minors from products that may pose health risks due to their potential for misuse and overconsumption. Furthermore, all such products are to be displayed behind counters or in locked cases, further restricting access.

Contention

Despite its intention of protecting youth, the bill may face opposition from various stakeholders, particularly those in the health and wellness sectors who argue that education about responsible product use is preferable to outright bans. Businesses selling dietary supplements could raise concerns about the feasibility of implementing the proposed age verification measures, especially regarding online and mail-order sales, where traditional identification procedures could be challenging. There may be debates surrounding the practicalities of the required retail display standards and potential impacts on legitimate adult consumers seeking access to these products.