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SB 1553

XYLAZINE-SCHED III-PENALTIES

104th Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Joyce

Adds xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance and establishes penalties for manufacturing, delivering, or possessing with intent to deliver, with veterinary use carve-out.

Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 1553

SB 1553 — Summary (Title: XYLAZINE — Schedule III — Penalties)

Note: The bill text provided includes material from multiple, unrelated measures in different states (Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois). This summary focuses on the portion matching the bill title — the Illinois language that would schedule xylazine and create related criminal provisions.

Purpose

To add xylazine to the Illinois Controlled Substances Act as a Schedule III controlled substance and to create/clarify criminal penalties for knowingly manufacturing, delivering, or possessing with intent to manufacture or deliver xylazine, while preserving lawful veterinary uses.

Key provisions

  • Adds xylazine to the list of Schedule III controlled substances (amendment to 720 ILCS 570/208).
  • Creates a new statutory subsection (proposed 720 ILCS 570/309.1) addressing the interaction of the scheduling with veterinary practice:
    • Explicitly states that notwithstanding xylazine’s placement in Schedule III, prohibitions on delivery or possession with intent to deliver do not apply to licensed veterinarians who lawfully prescribe, dispense, administer, acquire, or use xylazine in the course of professional practice, in good faith, and in accordance with generally accepted medical standards.
  • Amends applicable penalty sections of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act (changes to 720 ILCS 570/401) so that knowing manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver xylazine is prosecutable under the Act’s Schedule III offense framework.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals who manufacture, distribute, or possess xylazine outside authorized medical/veterinary contexts — subject to criminal prosecution consistent with Schedule III offenses under Illinois law.
  • Licensed veterinarians — explicitly exempted from delivery/possession prohibitions when acting within the scope of professional practice and accepted standards.
  • Law enforcement and prosecutors — will enforce new offenses and follow established Schedule III sentencing frameworks.
  • Suppliers, pharmacies, and veterinary clinics — will need to comply with controlled‑substance handling, recordkeeping, and licensing requirements applicable to Schedule III drugs.

Penalties & enforcement

  • The bill ties xylazine offenses to the Act’s Schedule III penalty provisions (720 ILCS 570/401). The bill text as provided does not list new numerical sentencing ranges distinct from existing Schedule III provisions; enforcement and penalties will follow existing statutory schemes for Schedule III substances under Illinois law.

Legislative status & related measures

  • Introduced in the Illinois General Assembly (sponsor: Sen. Patrick J. Joyce per the text). Companion House measures noted (HB 3178, HB 1353).
  • Procedural steps in the provided record include committee referrals (Criminal Law) and assignment actions; consult the Illinois General Assembly site for current status and actions.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Public health: scheduling aims to limit nonmedical diversion and misuse of xylazine, a non-opioid sedative linked to human intoxication and complicating overdoses.
  • Veterinary practice: the explicit carve‑out seeks to protect necessary veterinary access for animal care while imposing controls on non‑veterinary use.
  • Implementation: pharmacies/veterinary suppliers may face new compliance burdens (recordkeeping, secure storage); prosecutors and courts will apply existing Schedule III frameworks to xylazine cases.

For authoritative language, current status, and precise penalty ranges, consult the enacted statutory text of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act (720 ILCS 570) and the bill’s official legislative history on the Illinois General Assembly website.

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

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