SACRAMENTO, CA – Democratic Caucus Chair and Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) announced today that Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 309 into law. Sponsored by the California Pharmacists Association, the Health Officers Association of California, the Drug Policy Alliance, and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, this bill advances California's broader commitment to harm reduction and disease prevention. AB 309 maintains pharmacists' existing discretion to provide sterile syringes to adults without a prescription, a proven public health strategy to combat the spread of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other bloodborne pathogens.
California first began allowing local governments to authorize pharmacies to sell syringes to adults in 2004. Two decades of research and real-world data confirm that increased access to sterile syringes reduces transmission rates and prevents needless deaths. With the Governor's signature, AB 309 ensures pharmacists can continue furnishing sterile syringes at their discretion and allows adults to continue possessing syringes for personal use without a prescription.
"I am proud that AB 309 reaffirms California's commitment to preventing the spread of HIV and viral hepatitis by preserving access to sterile syringes," said Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur. "After decades of progress, new HIV diagnoses began rising again in 2021 and 2022, and we know from extensive research that syringe access saves lives without increasing drug use. It also saves money—preventing infections that cost more than $300,000 per person to treat—while costing the state nothing. AB 309 is a science-driven, cost-effective strategy to protect public health and vulnerable communities."
"We thank Governor Newsom for signing AB 309 into law. Allowing pharmacists to sell syringes without a prescription is a simple, cost-effective way to reduce the spread of hepatitis C, HIV, and other preventable diseases," said Susan Bonilla, CEO, California Pharmacists Association. "This law also ensures patients can obtain the syringes they need for medications like insulin or hormone therapy safely and conveniently from their local pharmacy."
"In public health, we aim to stop cases of preventable disease before they start," said Kat DeBurgh, Executive Director, Health Officers Association of California. "We thank the Governor for signing this bill, which ensures that a proven disease prevention strategy will remain in place, protecting the lives of Californians."
"This is a good evidence-based step forward in prioritizing health-centered approaches to drugs," said Grey Gardener, California State Director, Drug Policy Alliance." Drug Policy Alliance is very grateful to Assemblymember Zbur for his leadership, and thanks Governor Newsom for signing this legislation that will protect the public purse and save lives by preventing the transmission of infectious diseases."
"We extend our thanks to Governor Newsom for signing AB 309 into law and express our gratitude to the California legislature for passing this necessary legislation that will continue to help people access sterile syringes," said Tyler TerMeer, PhD, CEO of San Francisco AIDS Foundation. "We have decades of experience and research showing that sterile syringe provision reduces risk of HIV, viral hepatitis, and infectious disease. As we face unprecedented threats to our systems of public health, it is more important than ever to protect the public health strategies that we know prevent disease and save lives."
AB 309 takes effect January 1, 2026.
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur serves as the Democratic Caucus Chair for the California State Assembly and represents the 51st Assembly District, which includes Universal City, Hollywood, Hancock Park, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and other portions of Los Angeles.
CONTACT: Vienna Montague, (916) 319-2051, Vienna.Montague@asm.ca.gov