On June 7, the Rhode Island State Senate approved an amended version of S. 2613, which prohibits the sale of certain dietary supplements to youths under the age of 18.

The original version would have prohibited dietary supplements from being directly accessible to customers and mandate that only retail clerks may have access to them; however, it still requires brick and mortar retailers to post a warning sign at each purchase counter communicating that dietary supplements are known to cause serious adverse events, including stroke, organ failure and even death. Failure to comply with this legislation would result in a fine of up to $2,000 for each infraction. The bill does not regulate internet sales of dietary supplements in Rhode Island.

Introduced by Senators McCaffrey, Gallo and Miller, the legislation states that “Dietary supplements, set forth in subsection (a) of this section or dietary supplements for weight loss, may only be purchased upon a request made by a customer to the seller. The seller shall request valid identification from any individual who attempts to purchase a dietary supplement set forth in subsection (a) if that individual reasonably appears to the seller to be under 18 years of age.” Subsection (a) refers to a dietary supplement containing an ephedrine group alkaloid or a dietary supplement containing androstanedoil, androstanedione, androstenedione, noradrostendediol, norandrostenedione, or dehydropiandrosterone.

The bill passed by a vote of 33 to four. Before the Senate adjourns later this month, it must be taken up by the House of Representatives; if it is not, the bill will need to be reintroduced the following year and voted on again.

For more information, visit webserver.rilin.state.ri.us.