An Act relative to pill press machines

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Steven Ouellette and 1 co-sponsor

Imposes felony penalties and regulatory controls, including registration, for possession or sale of pill presses and related equipment used to make illegal or counterfeit drugs.

Summary: An Act relative to pill press machines (HD 3071)

Overview

This Massachusetts bill seeks to regulate pill press and related equipment by creating criminal penalties for illicit use and by establishing regulatory standards through the Board of Registration in Pharmacy. The measure adds new prohibitions and duties related to pill presses, encapsulating machines, drug molds, and counterfeiting materials when they are used or intended to be used to manufacture controlled substances or counterfeit drugs.

What the bill would do

Establish a new subset of prohibited activities under Chapter 94C, Section 32G, regarding possession, purchase, delivery, sale, or intent to sell or deliver pill press-related equipment and materials if used or believed to be used for illegal drug production.

Create felony penalties for violating these prohibitions, including:

A prison sentence of 1 to 5 years in a state prison or county house of correction, and/or
A fine of up to $25,000, or both imprisonment and fine.

Require the Board of Registration in Pharmacy to adopt rules and regulations governing standards of compliance for the lawful use and licensing of pill press machines and related equipment.

Authorize the Board to require registration of pill presses or similar equipment.

Key provisions and changes

Criminalization: Possession or trafficking of pill press machines and related materials with knowledge or belief that they will be used for manufacturing controlled substances or counterfeit drugs would be a felony with specified penalties.

Regulatory framework: The Board of Registration in Pharmacy would establish regulatory standards for both licensing and compliance related to pill presses and similar devices.

Registration mechanism: The Board may implement a registration requirement for pill presses or analogous equipment.

Who is affected

Individuals and entities that possess, purchase, sell, deliver, or intend to sell pill press machines, encapsulating machines, drug molds, or counterfeit materials.

Those involved in legitimate pharmaceutical manufacturing or compounding may be subject to Board licensing and compliance rules to ensure lawful use.

Law enforcement and state regulatory agencies would enforce the new prohibitions and penalties.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill is framed as an act to be enacted into law by the Massachusetts General Court. The version content indicates it was introduced in the 194th General Court (2025-2026) and involves an amendment to Chapter 94C, Section 32G.

Specific effective dates or transition timelines are not provided in the text excerpt. Implementation would depend on final passage and any regulatory effective dates established by the Board of Registration in Pharmacy.

Notes

The provided text identifies the sponsors as Rep. Richard G. Wells, Jr., and Rep. Steven J. Ouellette.

There is a naming discrepancy in the user-provided date (HD 3071 introduced November 29, 2025) versus the filing details shown (House No. 2046 filed January 16, 2025). The substantive provisions come from the bill as filed (HD 3071 / H.2046) in the 2025-2026 session.