Hypodermic needles and syringes.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify exact penalties or consequences if someone under 18 tries to obtain hypodermic needles and syringes.

Hypodermic Needles and Syringes

AB-309 extends the current law allowing doctors and pharmacists to give out hypodermic needles and syringes without a prescription to people over 18, and requires pharmacies to provide information or counseling when selling these items.

What This Bill Does

• Extends the rule that allows doctors and pharmacists to give out hypodermic needles and syringes to adults aged 18 years or older without needing a prescription.
• Requires pharmacies to give written information or talk about safe use of hypodermic needles when selling them to customers.

Who It Names or Affects

• Doctors and pharmacists who can provide hypodermic needles and syringes without a prescription.
• People aged 18 years or older who want to get hypodermic needles and syringes for personal use.
• Pharmacies that sell nonprescription hypodermic needles and syringes.

Terms To Know

Hypodermic needle

A thin tube used to inject medicine or other substances into the body.

Pharmacy Law

The set of rules that govern how pharmacies and pharmacists operate in California.

Limits and Unknowns

• Does not specify what happens if someone under 18 tries to get hypodermic needles or syringes.
• Does not provide details on the specific penalties for breaking these laws.

Official Summary Text

AB 309, Zbur.
Hypodermic needles and syringes.
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.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF