S 2586 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV prophylaxis without individual prescription under certain circumstances; mandates prescription benefits coverage.

This bill allows New Jersey pharmacists to dispense HIV prevention medication (PrEP) and emergency HIV exposure medication (PEP) without a specific patient prescription under certain conditions. It directly affects HIV-negative individuals seeking prevention services who meet screening criteria, such as recent negative HIV tests and no contraindications. Pharmacists must complete training, verify patient eligibility using CDC guidelines, provide counseling, and document services, while also notifying primary care providers. The bill additionally requires health insurers to cover these medications under prescription benefits. This aims to improve access to timely HIV prevention by expanding pharmacists' role within established clinical protocols.
Bill status died 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
General Assembly Passage
Dec 2025
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Jan 13, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Jun 30, 2025 · General Assembly Dec 22, 2025

How they voted

This bill was withdrawn because S 2019 was enacted as P.L.2025, c.196. Votes shown below are from that bill.
390
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 40
Jun 30, 2025
D Democratic25
25 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican15
14 Yea 1
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
0
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
upper
Dec 22, 2025
General Assembly · Passed
General Assembly Vote: pass (72-0-6)
general assembly
Jun 30, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (39-0-1)
senate
2 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors