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HB 2589

HYPODERMIC NEEDLES-SALE

104th Regular Session Introduced by Diane Blair-Sherlock and 10 co-sponsors

Pharmacists must sell up to 100 sterile syringes/needles to adults on request and sell from the pharmacy department, increasing guaranteed access.

Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0240
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Bill Summary · HB 2589

Summary — HB 2589 / Public Act 104-0240

Title: Hypodermic Needles — Sale (Amendment to the Hypodermic Syringes and Needles Act)
Bill: HB 2589 (Enrolled as Public Act 104-0240)

Purpose

Clarifies and expands lawful retail access to sterile hypodermic syringes and needles by making certain pharmacy sales mandatory rather than discretionary, while keeping existing professional and programmatic exceptions. The change is intended to increase predictable access to sterile syringes for adults and for legitimate medical, research, agricultural, and harm‑reduction uses.

Key provisions and changes

  • Amends Section 2 of the Hypodermic Syringes and Needles Act (720 ILCS 635/2).
  • Permissible purchases by professionals and specific users in subsection (a) are retained (registered pharmacists, physicians, dentists, veterinarians, embalmers, wholesalers, manufacturing pharmacists, industrial users, nurses on physician/dentist order, holders of permits, chiropodists, hospital employees on order, owners treating livestock, persons in scientific research, and staff/volunteers/participants in needle access programs).
  • Subsection (b) (changed from discretionary to mandatory):
    • Upon request, a pharmacist shall (not may) sell up to 100 sterile hypodermic syringes or needles to a person who is at least 18 years of age.
    • Syringes/needles sold under this subsection must be stored at the pharmacy and in a manner that limits access to pharmacists employed at the pharmacy and any persons designated by the pharmacists.
    • Sales to the public under this subsection must occur only from the pharmacy department of the pharmacy.
  • Subsection (c):
    • If sterile syringes/needles are in stock, a pharmacist, based on professional and clinical judgment, shall sell them to any qualifying individual when required for proper utilization or administration of medications. Includes an express expectation that such sales may accompany counseling or referrals to relevant healthcare services.

Who is affected

  • Pharmacists and retail pharmacies (new duty to sell up to 100 sterile syringes on request to adults, plus storage and point‑of‑sale requirements).
  • Individuals aged 18 and over seeking to purchase syringes/needles (greater, guaranteed access).
  • Harm‑reduction programs, medical providers, veterinarians, researchers, and agricultural users (existing exemptions remain).
  • Public health and clinical services that may receive referrals tied to sales.

Procedural / timeline facts

  • Introduced: February 7, 2025
  • Passed both chambers: May 22, 2025
  • Sent to Governor: June 20, 2025
  • Governor approved / Public Act enacted: August 15, 2025 (Public Act 104-0240)
  • Effective date: January 1, 2026

Practical impact (neutral description)

  • Creates a legal obligation for pharmacists to sell up to 100 sterile syringes/needles to adults on request and requires those sales to occur from the pharmacy department with controlled storage.
  • Likely increases baseline syringe availability in pharmacies statewide and removes discretionary refusal where stock exists and conditions are met.
  • May require pharmacies to adopt or clarify internal storage, staffing, and dispensing procedures to comply with the statutory requirements.

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

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