The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) congratulates State Representative Lamont Robinson (D-Chicago) on successfully passing HB 2665 (the Youth PrEP bill) out of the Illinois House.
AFC thanks the House members who supported this bill and especially Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago).
HB 2665 would align Illinois law with federal guidance on a minor’s ability to access preventive health care services, like PrEP, without parental consent. The bill passed 62-48 with one member voting present.
Read more about the Youth PrEP bill.
The U.S Food and Drug Administration approved PrEP for use by young people who do not have HIV to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV. While overall HIV cases have dropped by 28% over the last decade in Illinois and mother-to-child HIV transmission has nearly been eliminated, HIV diagnoses are increasing among youth in Illinois.
- Young people aged 13-24 make up 25% of new HIV diagnoses according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.
- Reports show that Black and Latinx youth are being disproportionately affected.
Increasing access to PrEP is critical to helping the state achieve its Getting to Zero goal of ending the HIV epidemic in Illinois by 2030.
HB 2665 modernizes Illinois law to allow young people to access PrEP without parental consent and would empower young people to take control of their health.
While the bill made it out of the House and is now on to the Senate, we still have more work to do.
