Illinois Sen. Collins’ clinical psychologist prescribing authority bill passes House and Senate

Passed bill authored by State Sen. Lakesia Collins aims to expand clinical psychologists’ prescribing authority and require coverage for their prescription management services, following approval in both chambers, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

In the House, 64 Democrats and three Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while 31 Republicans opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 36 Democrats and 16 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while one Democrat voted against it.

Collins introduced the bill in the Illinois Senate on Feb. 5, 2025 during the 104th session.

The legislation, known as SB1743, was passed on May 22, 2026 during the general assembly session 104.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill’s official text as follows: “Amends the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act. In provisions concerning written collaborative agreements, removes a provision prohibiting a prescribing psychologist from prescribing medications to patients who are less than 17 years of age or over 65 years of age. Provides that no prescriptive authority for any Schedule II opioid shall be delegated. Provides that after the collaborating physician files a notice delegating authority to prescribe any nonnarcotic, nonopioid Schedule II through V controlled substances (rather than any nonnarcotic Schedule III through V controlled substances), the licensed clinical psychologist shall be eligible to register for a mid-level practitioner controlled substance license under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Defines “opioid”. Makes corresponding changes in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall provide coverage and reimbursement for prescription management services provided by prescribing psychologists for persons who are otherwise eligible for medical assistance under the Article. Effective immediately.”

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act by removing the restriction that prevents prescribing psychologists from prescribing medications to patients under 17 or over 65. It clarifies that prescriptive authority does not extend to Schedule II opioids and allows psychologists delegated authority by collaborating physicians to prescribe nonnarcotic, nonopioid Schedule II through V controlled substances. Furthermore, prescribing psychologists can register for a mid-level practitioner controlled substance license. The bill also mandates coverage and reimbursement by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for prescription management services by prescribing psychologists under the Illinois Public Aid Code. It makes conforming changes to the Illinois Controlled Substances Act and takes effect immediately.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. Dave Syverson (Republican-35th District) and Rep. Maurice A. West, II (Democrat-67th District).

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Collins, a Democrat, was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 5th Senate District, replacing previous state senator Patricia Van Pelt.

Lawmakers listed as “Not Voting” were present for the vote but did not cast a vote. Those marked as having an “Excused Absence” were not present and formally provided a reason for their absence, which was accepted.