Illinois House Bill HB2392

Illinois 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/25
• Refer: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/25/25
• Refer: 3/21/25

Caption

JAIL RELEASE-OPIOID ANTAGONIST

Impact

If enacted, HB2392 would significantly amend existing laws within the County Department of Corrections Division, the Unified Code of Corrections, and the County Jail Act. By ensuring that individuals exiting correctional facilities receive an opioid antagonist, the bill intends to mitigate the risks associated with substance use and encourage better health outcomes. This policy could potentially create a ripple effect in Illinois's correctional and health systems, emphasizing the importance of health interventions at the point of release to reduce recidivism and related health crises.

Summary

House Bill 2392, introduced by Representative Lindsey LaPointe, aims to address the high rates of overdose deaths among individuals released from correctional institutions in Illinois. The bill mandates that upon the release of a prisoner from a county correctional institution, county jail, or Department of Corrections correctional facility, an opioid antagonist be provided to those individuals who were incarcerated for drug-related offenses or who have been identified as having a substance use disorder. This measure is positioned as a key public health intervention aimed at preventing drug overdoses in a vulnerable population transitioning from custody to the community.

Contention

Supporters of the bill argue that it is a crucial step towards addressing the opioid crisis and ensuring the safety of individuals as they reintegrate into society. They highlight the importance of providing such lifesaving devices as naloxone, which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. However, there may be pushback regarding the funding and logistics of providing these antagonists, as well as the potential stigma that might be associated with mandating such provisions at the point of release. As the bill progresses, discussions around implementation specifics, costs, and training for correctional staff on distributing these antagonists will likely arise.