By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 497
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
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.