The bill, titled "An Act relating to the distribution of hookahs; creating a criminal offense," amends the Health and Safety Code by adding a new subchapter specifically addressing the sale and distribution of hookahs. It defines key terms such as "hookah," "minor," and "retailer," and establishes that it is a criminal offense to sell or provide a hookah to individuals under 21 years of age, or to someone who intends to deliver it to a minor. The offense is classified as a Class C misdemeanor, and there are provisions for defenses against prosecution if valid proof of age is presented.

Additionally, the bill introduces a requirement that individuals younger than 30 years of age must also present valid identification when purchasing a hookah. Retailers are mandated to supervise and train their employees to ensure compliance with these regulations. The bill emphasizes the importance of verifying age through acceptable forms of identification, which include government-issued IDs. The provisions of this Act are set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

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