HB2548 creates the “Self-Administered Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit Ban Act” and makes it unlawful in Illinois to sell, market, promote, advertise, or otherwise distribute a self-administered sexual assault evidence collection kit to consumers in the state. The bill defines these kits as materials marketed for use by a person other than a medical professional to collect physical evidence of a sexual assault.
The measure also establishes enforcement and remedies. A person harmed by a violation may sue in circuit court, including as a class action, and recover compensatory damages equal to amounts paid, punitive damages up to $1,000 per violation, and attorney’s fees and costs. In addition, the Attorney General or a State’s Attorney may seek injunctive relief, civil penalties up to $1,500 per violation, and other appropriate relief. The act is set to take effect January 1, 2026.
Impact
HB2548 would add a new consumer-protection-style prohibition to Illinois law targeting the commercial sale and distribution of at-home sexual assault evidence collection kits. It creates both private and public enforcement mechanisms, authorizes civil penalties and damages, and gives the Attorney General and county prosecutors authority to bring actions in circuit court. The bill would affect sellers, marketers, distributors, and consumers of these kits, while leaving medical-professional collection methods outside the ban.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad legislative support based on the recorded votes, passing the Illinois House 113-0 and a Senate motion 57-0. The unanimous margins suggest little overt opposition in floor action. The available record does not include committee testimony or debate, so the public discussion reflected in the voting history is limited, but the vote totals indicate a generally favorable and noncontroversial reception among lawmakers.
Contention
No specific committee objections or floor debate are provided in the available materials, so no direct points of contention are documented. Based on the bill’s structure, potential concerns could center on whether banning at-home evidence kits limits survivor options, while supporters likely view the measure as preventing misleading or unreliable products from being marketed to sexual assault survivors. However, those arguments are not expressly recorded in the supplied transcripts or vote history.