This bill proposes the addition of a new section, 16-7-12, to the Code of West Virginia, which aims to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of cultivated meat products within the state. The bill defines "cultivated meat product" and establishes penalties for violations, classifying them as misdemeanors that could result in fines up to $500 or imprisonment for up to one year. Additionally, the Secretary of the Department of Health is granted the authority to suspend the operating permits of food establishments found to be in violation of this prohibition, with a structured process for notification and hearings regarding the suspension.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies that it does not prevent government entities or state institutions of higher education from conducting research related to cultivated meat products. It also allows the Secretary of Health and the Commissioner of Agriculture to propose emergency rules to implement the new provisions. The effective date for this prohibition is set for July 1, 2026, with a sunset provision that will render the law ineffective after July 1, 2031.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-7-12