IllinoisHB5411104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET

RABIES VACCINES IN SHELTERS

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Became Law

Summary

Specifies that the Act may be referred to as the Rabies Vaccination Access for Shelters and Public Health Act. Amends the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 and the Animal Control Act. Allows a licensed veterinarian to delegate rabies vaccination within an animal shelter, animal control facility, or government-authorized public health vaccination clinic to a certified veterinary technician or trained shelter vaccine administrator who is acting under the veterinarian's indirect supervision. Requires written protocols, training verification, and oversight by the supervising veterinarian. Directs the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation under the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 and the Department of Agriculture under the Animal Control Act to adopt rules within 12 months of the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective January 1, 2027.

health care licensesassignmentslicensed activities

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Trained vet techs can vaccinate and sign certificates

The law lets certified veterinary technicians who complete a 2-hour rabies course give rabies shots. A licensed veterinarian must directly supervise, examine the animal first, and find it healthy. Technicians who give the shot and completed the course in the prior renewal period may sign the rabies certificate; the supervising vet must also sign, and credentials must be shown. Certificates signed this way are recognized like those signed by veterinarians. Illinois statutes and local rules that said “veterinarian only” now include these supervised technicians.

Training and posting rules for rabies shots

If a certified veterinary technician gives rabies shots, they must take a 2-hour rabies course each license renewal cycle. The 2 hours count toward their required continuing education. The course must be taught by a licensed veterinarian in good standing and offered by a Department-approved provider. Each site where the technician gives shots must display the technician’s current rabies training certificate. Technicians remain subject to discipline and cannot diagnose, prescribe, or do surgery under this authority.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Barbara Hernandez

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Diane Blair-Sherlock

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Jawaharial Williams

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Kelly M. Cassidy

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Sara Feigenholtz

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Theresa Mah

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 193 • No: 5

Senate vote 5/21/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 59 • No: 0

Senate vote 5/6/2026

Do Pass Licensed Activities;

Yes: 9 • No: 0

House vote 4/17/2026

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 102 • No: 0

House vote 4/16/2026

House Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommends Be Adopted Health Care Licenses Committee;

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 3/25/2026

Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Health Care Licenses Committee;

Yes: 9 • No: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0522

    6/26/2026House
  2. Effective Date January 1, 2027

    6/26/2026House
  3. Governor Approved

    6/26/2026House
  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/18/2026House
  5. Passed Both Houses

    5/21/2026House
  6. Third Reading - Passed; 059-000-000

    5/21/2026Senate
  7. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **

    5/19/2026Senate
  8. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026

    5/14/2026Senate
  9. Second Reading

    5/14/2026Senate
  10. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 7, 2026

    5/6/2026Senate
  11. Do Pass Licensed Activities; 009-000-000

    5/6/2026Senate
  12. Assigned to Licensed Activities

    4/28/2026Senate
  13. Referred to Assignments

    4/21/2026Senate
  14. First Reading

    4/21/2026Senate
  15. Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz

    4/21/2026Senate
  16. Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading

    4/21/2026Senate
  17. Arrive in Senate

    4/21/2026Senate
  18. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Theresa Mah

    4/17/2026House
  19. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jawaharial Williams

    4/17/2026House
  20. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernandez

    4/17/2026House
  21. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Tabled

    4/17/2026House
  22. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 102-000-000

    4/17/2026House
  23. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

    4/17/2026House
  24. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Adopted

    4/17/2026House
  25. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommends Be Adopted Health Care Licenses Committee; 014-000-000

    4/16/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

  • Enrolled

  • House Amendment 1

  • House Amendment 2

  • House Amendment 3

  • Introduced

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