New Laws Impacting Public Health to Take Effect in 2026

New Laws Impacting Public Health to Take Effect in 2026

New law to improve reporting of overdose information among the initiatives enacted for the New Year

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that several new laws designed to strengthen public health initiatives will take effect with the start of the New Year, January 1, 2026.

"The New Year offers a critical opportunity to advance public health and protect Illinois families through new laws and innovative strategies," said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. "We thank Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly for their leadership in enacting a series of public health measures that include improving overdose reporting, addressing maternal health disparities, and promoting a One Health approach to safeguarding communities. IDPH is committed to actively working with our partners to ensure these laws are implemented effectively and deliver measurable improvements to the health and well-being of Illinois residents."

Among the new initiatives taking effect on January 1^st is House Bill 3645, sponsored by Reps. Michael Kelly and Matt Hanson, and Sen. Laura Fine. The new law authorizes the transmission of limited information regarding suspected overdoses reported by first responders covered under the Emergency Medical Services Systems Act. Under the statute, IDPH will submit the information to the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP). This data will help state and local public health officials track and respond to overdose events, supporting timely intervention, effective use of resources, and overdose prevention efforts.

Other new laws approved by the General Assembly in 2025 include:

• Senate Bill 119, sponsored by Sen. Karina Villa and Rep. Anna Moeller. The new law requires every appropriate health care professional who is attending to a pregnant patient shall conduct a test for prenatal syphilis at the time of the first examination, and again during the third trimester, to ensure that appropriate treatment can be administered.
• House Bill 3709, sponsored by Rep. Anna Moeller and Sen. Celina Villanueva. This statute requires public institutions of higher education to provide enrolled students with access to one or more health care professionals whose scope of practice includes prescribing and dispensing contraception and/or medication abortion and will provide information to students on how to access such services.
• Senate Bill 291, sponsored by Sen. Julie Morrison and Rep. Michelle Mussman. This bill establishes a state One Health Commission within IDPH. "One Health" refers to the recognition that human health is interconnected with the health of animal populations and the environment. A One Health approach covers zoonotic diseases (which can be transmitted from animals to humans) such as avian influenza, diseases carried by insects (including Lyme disease and West Nile virus), antimicrobial resistance, and other health concerns. The Commission will promote interdisciplinary communication and collaboration among doctors, veterinarians, other medical and scientific experts, and state agencies to develop a unified approach to these issues. The Commission will be co-chaired by the Director of IDPH and the president of the University of Illinois System (or their designees).
• House Bill 2462, sponsored by Rep. Maurice West and Sen. Mary Edly-Allen. Under this new law, IDPH is authorized to issue a standing order that would allow an authorized entity or individual to obtain a supply of epinephrine delivery devices, and for trained individuals to administer the medication to someone who is undergoing a severe allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock.
• House Bill 2517, sponsored by Rep. Lisa Davis and Sen. Willie Preston. This new law will require health care professionals who provide maternal health services to complete a one-hour training course on implicit bias awareness as a condition of license renewal. The new requirement seeks to address ongoing concerns about historic disparities in maternal health care impacting racial and ethnic groups with increased maternal mortality rates.
• Senate Bill 1950, sponsored by Sen. Linda Holmes and Rep. Robyn Gabel. Also known as the Medical Aid in Dying law, it will take effect in September of 2026. The law provides options for qualified terminally ill patients to request end-of-life medication and peacefully end their own life on their own terms in consultation with a physician. If a patient elects the end-of-life option as outlined in the Act, physicians must submit information within 60 days after the patient's death to IDPH regarding the patient, their diagnosis, notice that requirements under the Act were completed, and notice that medication has been prescribed pursuant to the Act. This information is to be considered confidential, privileged, and not discoverable in any civil, criminal, administrative, or other proceeding.