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SB 2444

Tuition for certain veterans to attend universities or community colleges; establish program for combat veterans.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jason Barrett and 7 co-sponsors

Public colleges with student health services would have to provide on‑campus access to contraception and medication abortion via licensed providers and campus pharmacies, starting

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 2444

Summary — SB 2444 (Public Higher Education Act amendments)

Status: Died In Committee

Purpose

SB 2444 would have required Illinois public colleges and universities that operate student health services to provide enrolled students with on‑campus access to health care professionals authorized under state law to prescribe contraception and medication abortion, beginning in the 2025–2026 academic year. It also would have required campus pharmacies (where present) to dispense those medications and established reporting and referral requirements.

Key provisions

  • Amends the Public Higher Education Act by changing Section 5 and adding Sections 19 and 20.
  • Definitions added/clarified: “contraception,” “emergency contraception,” “medication abortion” (termination of pregnancy by medication), “student health services,” and “wellness kiosk.”
  • Contraception access (Sec. 19)
    • Beginning 2025–2026, institutions with student health services must provide enrolled students access to licensed health professionals who may prescribe contraception (including procedural-based methods as appropriate).
    • Services may be delivered in person or via telehealth and may involve external licensed providers.
    • If a campus pharmacy exists, it must dispense contraception to students who elect to fill prescriptions there; students may instead use third‑party pharmacies.
    • Institutions must report annually to the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) that required policies are adopted; IBHE must publish compliance status on its website.

  • Medication abortion access (Sec. 20)

    • Beginning 2025–2026, institutions with student health services must provide access to licensed providers to discuss options and prescribe medication abortion (in person or via telehealth; may involve external providers).
    • Campus pharmacies (if present) must dispense medication abortion if students choose to fill on campus; students may choose an outside pharmacy.
    • Before dispensing medication abortion, any institution pharmacy that dispenses it must have a referral agreement in place with a tertiary care facility offering obstetrics/gynecological services to address complications or suspected complicated pregnancies.
    • Same annual reporting and IBHE publication requirements as for contraception.

  • Effective date: immediately (per bill text).

Who would be affected

  • Public universities, community colleges, and any public institution of higher education in Illinois that operate student health services and/or on‑campus pharmacies.
  • Enrolled students at those institutions (increased on‑campus access to contraception and medication abortion).
  • Campus health centers and pharmacies (operational, staffing, stocking, and contractual implications).
  • Tertiary care facilities (potential referral partners).

Implementation & compliance

  • Institutions may use existing provider networks, telehealth, or external licensed providers to meet requirements.
  • Annual reporting to IBHE; IBHE posts institutional compliance status publicly.
  • Institutions dispensing medication abortion must secure pre‑dispensing referral agreements with appropriate tertiary care providers.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Increased access to contraception and medication abortion for students at covered institutions.
  • Operational costs and policy changes for campus health centers and pharmacies (hiring/training, pharmacy inventory, and referral agreements).
  • Clinical and liability considerations around medication abortion provision and emergency/complication protocols.
  • No explicit appropriation or funding amounts included in the bill text.

Legislative history and sponsors

  • Introduced in 2025 (bill text dated Feb 7, 2025; Secretary records show filing March 13, 2025). Referred to multiple committees (Universities & Colleges; Appropriations A; Veterans & Military Affairs; Business & Commerce).
  • Status: Died In Committee (listed as 03/04/2025).
  • Sponsors/cosponsors listed in the file: Elefante (primary), Kidani, Wakai, Aquino, Chang; introduced in the senate by Sen. Celina Villanueva.
  • Related/companion bills: HB 4766 and HB 2016.

Note: The legislative history provided contains multiple committee actions and dates across 2024–2025; the bill did not advance to passage before it died in committee.

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

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