summary
Introduced
02/04/2026
02/04/2026
In Committee
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Creates the Protective Medical Equipment Freedom Act. Provides that all individual in the State have the right to wear protective medical equipment in any place of public accommodation where they have a lawful right to be without obligation to disclose health status or any other protected information, and no person, entity, or authority shall deny, restrict, or infringe upon this right. Provides that operators and public officials shall not discriminate against or penalize medical device wearers for exercising their right to wear protective medical equipment. Provides that discrimination under the Act includes, but is not limited to: denial of service; eviction from premises; any form of harassment to remove or refrain from wearing such equipment for any amount of time; specified actions taken by employers; and provision of unequal goods, services, facilities, advantages, or accommodations. Sets forth provisions concerning the protection against retaliation, the exceptions for security requirements, operational safety, age and identity restricted products, and financial institution customer identification, and an undue hardship exemption. Effective immediately.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the Protective Medical Equipment Freedom Act or Kiki's Law, establishes the right for all individuals in Illinois to wear protective medical equipment, such as masks, respirators, face shields, and gloves, in any public place where they are lawfully present, without being required to disclose their health status. Operators of public accommodations (businesses, services, etc.) and public officials are prohibited from denying service, evicting, harassing, or otherwise discriminating against individuals for wearing this equipment, with discrimination defined broadly to include denial of goods, services, or unequal treatment. The bill also protects individuals from retaliation for exercising this right or reporting violations, and outlines specific exceptions where protective equipment may need to be temporarily removed, such as for security checks, operational safety, verifying age or identity for restricted products like alcohol or firearms, or for financial institution customer identification, though accommodations like clear window masks are encouraged. The burden of proving "undue hardship" (significant expense or disruption) for not allowing protective equipment rests with the operator.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Senate Human Rights Committee Hearing (09:00:00 2/26/2026 Room 409) (on 02/26/2026)
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