A5610D

Assembly Bill 5610D, sponsored by Assemblymember Rozic and designated as Calendar Number 663, was laid aside on the Senate floor following a motion by Sen. Palumbo. The measure, which would amend the General Business Law, did not advance to a vote.

The New York State Senate passed Assembly Bill 5610D on a 46-15 vote, restricting the sale of over-the-counter diet pills and weight loss supplements to persons under 18 years old. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Mayer, addresses health risks from unregulated products marketed to young people, citing documentation from Harvard School of Public Health. The bill represents a revised approach after the Governor vetoed similar legislation last year, removing the Department of Health from enforcement and instead empowering the Attorney General to bring court actions against violators. Retailers must check identification before selling covered products, with valid forms including driver's licenses, passports, military IDs, and student identification cards. The bill defines covered products as over-the-counter diet pills and dietary supplements marketed for weight loss or muscle building, excluding protein powders and protein drinks unless they contain additional weight-loss ingredients. Sen. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick opposed the measure, arguing it is overly broad and places unfair burdens on small retailers without providing clear guidance on which products are covered or offering a defense for unknowingly selling restricted items. She also questioned whether the Attorney General, already overburdened with other consumer protection duties, has adequate resources to enforce the statute. Sen. Mayer countered that the bill represents a thoughtful, responsible approach to regulating products that have been underregulated by the FDA and pose genuine health risks to minors.