HB 417 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Criminal Law - Schedule III Controlled Dangerous Substances - Medetomidine and Xylazine

HB 417 (Public Health - Medetomidine and Xylazine Consumer Protection Act) regulates the sale of veterinary drugs medetomidine and xylazine. It prohibits retailers from selling these products without proof the buyer intends to use them for veterinary, scientific, or institutional purposes, and bans sales to anyone under 21. Retailers must maintain records of sales, including age verification and proof of intended use. Violations carry civil fines up to $6,500 per offense, with penalties deposited into Maryland's Substance Abuse Fund. The bill directly affects pharmacies, veterinary suppliers, and online retailers selling these specific products.

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Governor

Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Last action Apr 13, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Public Health - Medetomidine and Xylazine Consumer Protection Act → Third - Criminal Law - Schedule III Controlled Dangerous Substances - Medetomidine and Xylazine · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reclassified from a Public Health measure to a Criminal Law measure to formally schedule medetomidine and xylazine as Schedule III controlled dangerous substances. This change expands the bill's scope by adding new regulatory requirements for the Department of Health to adopt rules and updating the Controlled Dangerous Substances Act to explicitly list these substances.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a consumer protection framework to include formal scheduling of the substances under criminal law, requiring the Department of Health to adopt regulations to enforce the new rules.

SCOPE

Added a new section to the Criminal Law to add medetomidine and xylazine to Schedule III of controlled dangerous substances.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the Department of Health to adopt regulations to carry out the new subtitle.

FISCAL

Modified the definition of the Maryland Substance Abuse Fund to clarify that it includes civil penalties collected under the new act.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title and committee report status to reflect its reclassification and adoption.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion Special Order until Next Session (Senator Love) Adopted

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Finance

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Health

lower

Feb 23, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (128-0-14)

house of delegates

Jan 22, 2026

Committee

First Reading Health

lower

20 primary · 0 co-sponsors