HOUSE BILL NO. 442

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the House Committee on Rules

on ________________)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Mehta)

A BILL to direct the Virginia State Crime Commission to analyze kratom enforcement and regulation in the United States; report.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That the Virginia State Crime Commission (the Commission), in consultation with the Board of Pharmacy, shall conduct analysis of the enforcement and regulation of Mitragyna speciosa, commonly known as kratom, and the substance 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) throughout the United States. In conducting its analysis, the Commission shall determine (i) the status of kratom and the substance 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) enforcement and regulation at the federal level; (ii) whether states regulate kratom and the substance 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) through criminalization or consumer protection laws; (iii) the penalties, if any, associated with violations of state law related to kratom and the substance 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), including individual possession and retail sales; (iv) any other information it deems relevant to kratom and the substance 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) enforcement and regulation in the Commonwealth; and (v) any recommendations for changes to existing laws related to the enforcement or regulation of kratom and the substance 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission for this analysis, upon request. The Commission shall submit an executive summary and report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2026.