Hypodermic needles and syringes.
- Makes permanent the authorization for pharmacies to provide needles without prescriptions to adults over 18.
- Requires pharmacies to provide safe disposal options and counseling on drug treatment services.
- Exempts personal possession of hypodermic needles to prevent disease transmission.
- Mandates secure storage of needles in pharmacies to restrict access to authorized personnel only.
Assembly Member Zbur's proposal to permanently authorize pharmacists and physicians to furnish hypodermic needles and syringes without a prescription removes the January 1, 2026 sunset date from current California law. The measure maintains existing provisions allowing individuals 18 and older to obtain needles and syringes for personal use from pharmacists or physicians without a prescription.
The bill codifies requirements for pharmacies that provide nonprescription syringes, including secure storage protocols and disposal options. Pharmacies must offer at least one of three disposal methods: an onsite collection program, mail-back sharps containers, or standard sharps disposal containers. The legislation also requires pharmacies to provide information about drug treatment programs, HIV and hepatitis C testing and treatment, and proper sharps disposal when furnishing nonprescription syringes.
The measure exempts from criminal penalties both the possession of properly containerized needles and syringes intended for disposal and the possession of these items for personal use. While the bill creates no new state-mandated costs for local agencies, pharmacies may need to implement or maintain compliant storage and disposal programs.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 1 | 2 | 15 | PASS |
 Scott WienerD Senator | Bill Author |  Not Contacted | |
 Joaquin ArambulaD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Buffy WicksD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 John LairdD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Lisa CalderonD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
- Makes permanent the authorization for pharmacies to provide needles without prescriptions to adults over 18.
- Requires pharmacies to provide safe disposal options and counseling on drug treatment services.
- Exempts personal possession of hypodermic needles to prevent disease transmission.
- Mandates secure storage of needles in pharmacies to restrict access to authorized personnel only.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
Assembly Member Zbur's proposal to permanently authorize pharmacists and physicians to furnish hypodermic needles and syringes without a prescription removes the January 1, 2026 sunset date from current California law. The measure maintains existing provisions allowing individuals 18 and older to obtain needles and syringes for personal use from pharmacists or physicians without a prescription.
The bill codifies requirements for pharmacies that provide nonprescription syringes, including secure storage protocols and disposal options. Pharmacies must offer at least one of three disposal methods: an onsite collection program, mail-back sharps containers, or standard sharps disposal containers. The legislation also requires pharmacies to provide information about drug treatment programs, HIV and hepatitis C testing and treatment, and proper sharps disposal when furnishing nonprescription syringes.
The measure exempts from criminal penalties both the possession of properly containerized needles and syringes intended for disposal and the possession of these items for personal use. While the bill creates no new state-mandated costs for local agencies, pharmacies may need to implement or maintain compliant storage and disposal programs.
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 1 | 2 | 15 | PASS |
Scott WienerD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Joaquin ArambulaD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Buffy WicksD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
John LairdD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Lisa CalderonD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |