Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB124: Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics - Gene Structure- and Function-Modifying Products - Labeling
Status: Failed, February 9, 2026
Prohibiting a person from offering for sale in the State a gene structure- or function-modifying product unless the product is labeled in a prominent and conspicuous manner with the words "gene structure- or function-modifying product" and all potential risks, side effects, adverse effects, and other reasonably possible effects that the product may have; and establishing penalties for a violation of the Act.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics - Gene Structure- and Function-Modifying Products - Labeling FOR the purpose of prohibiting a person from offering for sale in the State a gene structure- or function-modifying product unless the product is labeled in a certain manner; and generally relating to labeling of gene structure- and function-modifying products. BY adding to Article - Health - General Section 21-2G-01 through 21-2G-04 to be under the new subtitle "Subtitle 2G…
From the introduced text, January 12, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics - Gene Structure- and Function-Modifying Products - Labeling FOR the purpose of prohibiting a person from offering for sale in the State a gene structure- or function-modifying product unless the product is labeled in a certain manner; and generally relating to labeling of gene structure- and function-modifying products. BY adding to Article - Health - General Section 21-2G-01 through 21-2G-04 to be under the new subtitle "Subtitle 2G. Gene Structure- and Function-Modifying Products" Annotated Code of Maryland (2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Health - General SUBTITLE 2G. GENE STRUCTURE- AND FUNCTION-MODIFYING PRODUCTS. 21-2G-01. (A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS INDICATED. (B) "GENE STRUCTURE- OR FUNCTION-MODIFYING PRODUCT" MEANS A PRODUCT THAT HAS BEEN PRODUCED USING MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY METHODS EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *sb0124* SENATE BILL DESIGNED TO ALTER THE STRUCTURE OR FUNCTION OF ONE OR MORE GENES IN THE PRODUCT AND WHICH LEADS TO THE PRODUCT CONTAINING ARTIFICIALLY ENGINEERED ELEMENTS THAT MAY MODIFY THE STRUCTURE OR FUNCTION OF ONE OR MORE GENES IN A CONSUMER. (C) (1) "MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY METHODS" …