STOPP Act

This bill aims to stop illegal pill‑making by tightly tracking pill presses, capsule machines, and their critical parts. It requires permanent serial numbers on these machines and certain parts, and it makes makers and sellers report sales, transfers, imports, and exports to the government. It creates a national registry of this equipment and makes companies that make, sell, import, or export it register each year and keep detailed records for 10 years; the Attorney General can inspect to check compliance . The Attorney General will decide which machines and parts are covered and set the exact rules by regulation.

It sets penalties for removing or changing serial numbers, for moving equipment with numbers removed or altered, and for keeping a machine that should have a serial number but doesn’t. If you already own a machine before the rule starts, you have 180 days to get it serialized by a registered dealer, transfer it to one, or destroy it; otherwise, you could face penalties when the rule applies. Operating without required registration or failing to make required reports is also unlawful.

• Who is affected:

  • Businesses that manufacture, sell, import, or export pill presses, capsule machines, and critical parts must register each year and keep records; the Attorney General can inspect them .
  • People who possess these machines must make sure they have required serial numbers; exceptions apply for employees acting for a registered business and for shipping carriers doing their jobs .

• What changes:

  • Permanent serial numbers on covered machines and parts, with transaction reporting to the government.
  • A national registry to track this equipment.
  • Expanded “suspicious order” reporting to include these machines and parts, not just chemicals.
  • Clear crimes and penalties for tampering with serial numbers or using un‑serialized machines, plus penalties for failing to register or report as required .

• When it takes effect:

  • Most requirements start 120 days after the law is enacted; the Attorney General may delay some dates for efficient administration .
  • The rule making it a crime to possess a machine without a required serial number starts two years after enactment, with the 180‑day grace period for existing owners noted above; the Attorney General may also postpone this start date.