IL HB0349

Creates the Drug and Sharps Waste Stewardship Act requiring manufacturers and distributors of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and home-generated sharps (needles, lancets) to establish and fund collection and disposal programs

Mandates a minimum of 5 authorized collection sites or one site per 50,000 people in each county, with mail-back programs required for counties lacking sufficient retail pharmacy collection sites

Requires covered entities to submit stewardship plans to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for approval within 6 months of rule adoption, with full program implementation within 270 days of plan approval

Establishes administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day per violation, or $50,000 per day for intentional violations, with funds deposited into the Drug and Sharps Stewardship Fund and Penalty Account

Exempts local stewardship programs established by ordinance before January 1, 2020 from the Act's requirements, though those programs cannot access state fund resources