The Access to Birth Control Act requires pharmacies to dispense FDA-approved contraception and related medications promptly without delay, regardless of the pharmacist's personal beliefs. If a contraceptive is out of stock, pharmacies must either refer customers to another pharmacy that has it available or order it using expedited procedures. The bill prohibits pharmacies from intimidating customers, misrepresenting product availability, breaching confidentiality, or refusing to return valid prescriptions related to contraception. Pharmacies can only refuse service if the customer lacks a valid prescription, cannot pay, or if the employee exercises genuine professional clinical judgment based on medical standards—though the Religious Freedom Restoration Act cannot be used as a legal defense to violate these requirements. Violations carry civil penalties up to $1,000 per day (capped at $100,000 per case), and affected individuals can sue pharmacies for damages; the law takes effect 31 days after enactment.
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