AB 309: Hypodermic needles and syringes.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, the Pharmacy Law, provides for the licensure and regulation of pharmacists and pharmacies by the California State Board of Pharmacy. Existing law, until January 1, 2026, authorizes a physician or pharmacist to, without a prescription or permit, furnish hypodermic needles and syringes for human use to a person 18 years of age or older, and authorizes a person 18 years of age or older to, without a prescription or license, obtain hypodermic needles and syringes solely for personal use from a physician or pharmacist, as a public health measure, as specified. Existing law, until January 1, 2026, requires a pharmacy that furnishes nonprescription syringes to provide written information or verbal counseling to consumers, as specified, at the time of furnishing or sale of nonprescription hypodermic needles or syringes. Existing law, when no other penalty is provided, makes a knowing violation of the Pharmacy Law a misdemeanor and, in all other instances, makes a violation punishable as an infraction.

This bill would delete the January 1, 2026, repeal date, thereby extending those provisions indefinitely, and would make other conforming changes. By indefinitely extending an existing requirement under the Pharmacy Law, the violation of which is a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 8

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. October 13, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 685, Statutes of 2025.
2. October 13, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 9, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
4. September 3, 2025In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.
5. September 3, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 28. Noes 11. Page 2459.).
6. August 20, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
7. August 19, 2025From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
8. July 14, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 3.) (July 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
9. June 19, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on B. P. & E.D. (Ayes 8. Noes 1.) (June 18). Re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.
10. May 28, 2025Referred to Coms. on HEALTH and B. P. & E.D.
11. May 15, 2025In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
12. May 15, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 54. Noes 15. Page 1555.)