Bill
HB 1782
Prohibits selling OTC diet pills to anyone under 18, requiring ID checks and allowing up to a $2,000 fine, with ADH to implement rules.
Note on inconsistencies in supplied materials
- The materials provided include conflicting metadata (an initial title about an appropriation for a water tower, text from an Arkansas bill about over‑the‑counter diet pills, and an unrelated Illinois bill numbered HB1782). The substantive bill text below summarizes the Arkansas House Bill 1782 (As Engrossed H3/19/25) which addresses sale of over‑the‑counter diet pills to minors. The legislative action timeline in the file also contains inconsistent entries (including “Died In Committee” and entries indicating passage/enrollment). Please verify current status on the official Arkansas legislative website for final disposition.
Purpose and intent
- Prohibit the sale, transfer, or furnishing of over‑the‑counter (OTC) diet pills to persons under 18 years of age to restrict adolescent access to these products.
Key provisions
- New statutory section added to Arkansas Code Title 20, Chapter 56 (proposed § 20‑56‑101).
- Definitions:
- “Over‑the‑counter diet pills” — drugs labeled/marketed under the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for weight‑loss purposes and lawfully sold without a prescription as of Jan 1, 2025. Includes products with a federal “drug facts” panel that may contain approved or adulterated ingredients under 21 U.S.C. § 342 (as of Jan 1, 2025).
- “Retail establishment” — any vendor that in the regular course of business sells OTC diet pills to the public (pharmacies, grocery/retail stores) or accepts orders by mail/phone/email/website/app.
- Retail prohibitions:
- A retail establishment must not sell, transfer, or otherwise furnish OTC diet pills to anyone under 18.
- Retailers must request valid identification if a purchaser reasonably appears to be under 18.
- Rulemaking:
- Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) authorized to promulgate rules implementing the section, including determining which products are subject to the requirements.
- Enforcement and penalties:
- Violation is treated as a deceptive and unconscionable trade practice under the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (§ 4‑88‑101 et seq.), subject to its penalties, remedies, and enforcement.
- In addition, ADH may impose a fine on a retail establishment of up to $2,000 for violation.
Who is affected
- Retailers that sell OTC diet pills (pharmacies, supermarkets, online vendors).
- Consumers under 18 (would be prohibited from purchasing OTC diet pills).
- ADH (rulemaking and enforcement responsibilities).
- Potential legal claimants under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act (civil remedies/enforcement).
Procedural/timeline notes
- As Engrossed date: March 19, 2025; Amendment H1 made a minor wording clarification.
- Sponsors listed in the engrossed text include Rep. Hudson (primary), multiple House cosponsors, and Senator J. Scott.
- The supplied legislative action log contains mixed entries (committee hearings in March 2025; entries indicating passage and enrollment; but also entries showing “Died In Committee”). Confirm the bill’s final status with the official Arkansas legislative records.
Potential practical impacts
- Retailers will need to implement age‑verification practices and staff training to avoid penalties.
- ADH rulemaking could further refine which products are covered (which may affect product labeling and retail categorization).
- May reduce adolescent access to OTC diet pills; could shift some transactions to out‑of‑state vendors or online channels unless enforcement includes remote sales.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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