AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY ENERGY DRINK CONSUMPTION BY CHILDREN AND REQUIRING CERTAIN SIGNAGE AT THE POINT OF SALE OF SUCH DRINKS.

HB 5269 establishes a working group to study health risks of high-caffeine energy drinks (defined as containing ≥80mg caffeine per 9oz plus other ingredients) among children and assess impacts of potential sales restrictions. The group, including health experts and stakeholders, must report by November 2026 with recommendations for public awareness campaigns and point-of-sale signage. Starting January 1, 2027, retailers selling such drinks must display clear signage about child health risks at checkout, developed by the Department of Consumer Protection based on the working group's input. The bill directly affects children (via health risk focus), retailers (via signage requirement), and public health agencies (via study mandate). It creates no new sales bans but requires informational measures to address consumption concerns.