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HB 2526

FIREARMS RESTRAIN-PETITIONER

104th Regular Session Introduced by Nabeela Syed

Expands who can file firearms restraining order petitions to include certain licensed health-care professionals who have recently treated the respondent.

Referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 2526

Summary — HB 2526 (FIREARMS RESTRAIN‑PETITIONER)

Note: the provided materials appear to combine two different HB 2526 documents (an Illinois bill amending the Firearms Restraining Order Act and an Arizona technical change to holiday statutes). This summary focuses on the Illinois measure titled “FIREARMS RESTRAIN‑PETITIONER” (430 ILCS 67/5), which is the substantive public‑safety proposal described in the text.

Purpose

To expand who may file a petition for a firearms restraining order (FRO) in Illinois by adding certain licensed health‑care professionals who have recently treated the person alleged to pose a danger. The change is intended to allow clinicians who encounter patients at risk of harming themselves or others to seek a court order temporarily restricting access to firearms and ammunition.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 5 of the Firearms Restraining Order Act (430 ILCS 67/5) by expanding the definition of “petitioner.”
  • Adds the following health‑care professionals as eligible petitioners if they have treated the respondent within the 6 months immediately preceding the filing:
    • A physician licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987;
    • A psychiatrist as defined in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code;
    • A clinical psychologist licensed under the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act;
    • A licensed clinical social worker licensed under the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act;
    • An advanced practice registered nurse, nationally certified as a mental‑health or psychiatric nurse practitioner and licensed under the Nurse Practice Act;
    • A licensed marriage and family therapist licensed under the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act.
  • Retains existing petitioner categories: family members and law enforcement officers (as previously defined).

Who is affected

  • Respondents: persons alleged to pose a danger and who could have firearms/ammunition restricted if a petition is granted.
  • Health‑care professionals listed above: they would gain explicit statutory standing to file FRO petitions when they have recently treated the person.
  • Courts and law enforcement: likely to see petitions initiated by clinicians in addition to family members and police, which could affect caseloads and enforcement duties.
  • Family members and the public: potentially increased access to legal tools for preventing firearm‑related harm.

Procedural status & timeline

  • Statutory target: amends 430 ILCS 67/5 (Firearms Restraining Order Act).
  • Introduced in early February 2025 (filed by Rep. Nabeela Syed in the Illinois text). The metadata lists the bill as “Referred to Rules Committee.” Other listed actions include first readings and referrals on February–June 2025 (records appear mixed).
  • Related/companion bill: HB 567 (listed as companion).

Practical considerations / potential impacts

  • May enable clinicians who identify imminent risk to use civil FROs as a preventive tool, potentially reducing firearm‑related self‑harm or violence.
  • Could increase the number of FRO petitions and associated court proceedings.
  • Raises questions for clinicians about clinical thresholds, documentation, patient confidentiality, and when to petition; implementation might require guidance or training for providers and courts.
  • The bill does not, in this text, change standards of proof, duration of orders, or return processes — it expands who may initiate the petition only.

Note on source materials

The packet supplied also contained an unrelated Arizona bill (also labeled HB 2526) regarding state holidays and a different sponsor (Rep. Justin Olson). That appears to be a separate measure and is not part of the Illinois Firearms Restraining Order Act amendment summarized here.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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