Read the full stored bill text
EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1023*
HOUSE BILL 1023
J1 6lr2204
By: Delegates Rose, Adams, Baker, Beauchamp, Bouchat, Griffith, Hartman,
R. Long, McComas, Miller, T. Morgan, Tomlinson, Valentine, and Wivell
Introduced and read first time: February 9, 2026
Assigned to: Health
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Lab–Grown Meat – Prohibition 2
FOR the purpose of prohibiting a person from selling, offering for sale, distributing, or 3
manufacturing in the State lab–grown meat for human consumption; and generally 4
relating to lab–grown meat. 5
BY adding to 6
Article – Health – General 7
Section 21 –501 and 21 –502 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 5. Lab –Grown 8
Meat” 9
Annotated Code of Maryland 10
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 11
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 12
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 13
Article – Health – General 14
SUBTITLE 5. LAB–GROWN MEAT. 15
21–501. 16
IN THIS SUBTITLE , “LAB–GROWN MEAT” MEANS MEAT OR A MEAT PRODU CT 17
THAT CONTAINS ANIMAL TISSUE CULTURED FROM ANIMAL CELLS OUTSIDE THE 18
ANIMAL FROM WHICH THE TISSUE IS DERIVED. 19
21–502. 20
2 HOUSE BILL 1023
(A) A PERSON MAY NOT SELL , OFFER TO SELL , DISTRIBUTE, OR 1
MANUFACTURE IN THE STATE LAB–GROWN MEAT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. 2
(B) (1) A PERSON THAT VIOLATES THIS SECTION IS LIABLE FOR A CIVIL 3
PENALTY NOT EXCEEDIN G $5,000 TO BE COLLECTED IN A CIVIL ACTION IN THE 4
DISTRICT COURT FOR ANY COUNTY. 5
(2) IN ADDITION TO THE PENALTY ESTABLISHED UNDER PARAGRAPH 6
(1) OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE SECRETARY MAY SEIZE O R CONDEMN LAB–GROWN 7
MEAT SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, DISTRIBUTED, OR MANUFACTURED IN VIOLATION 8
OF THIS SECTION. 9
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 10
October 1, 2026. 11