Special Edition – Turnaround of the 2025 Session

Following Turnaround Day on Thursday, Feb. 20, more than 90 health-related bills remained alive for legislators to consider when they resumed their work on Tuesday, Feb. 25, including bills related to licensing and scope of practice, workforce, firearm safety, child welfare, juvenile justice, water conservation, behavioral health, state agency authority, child care and eligibility for public assistance programs. (Bill summaries are from the Kansas Legislature website and KanFocus.)

This special edition of Health at the Capitol looks at health-related bills that remain in play for the second half of the session — including bills that passed one Chamber or those that were sponsored by, referred to or acted upon by an exempt committee (House and Senate Federal and State Affairs, Senate Ways and Means, Senate Assessment and Taxation, House Appropriations, House Taxation and House Calendar and Printing).

House Bills

Substitute (Sub.) for House Bill (HB) 2007, relating to making and concerning appropriations for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2025, June 30, 2026, and June 30, 2027, for state agencies; authorizing certain transfers, capital improvement projects and fees; and imposing certain restrictions and limitations and directing or authorizing certain receipts and disbursements procedures and acts incidental to the foregoing.

HB 2024, which would enact the Fighting Chance for Firefighters Act, which provides a tax credit for firefighters who incur unreimbursed medical expense for screening for occupation-related cancer.

 HB 2027, which would reorganize subsections of the public assistance statute and update cross references.

 HB 2039, which would amend definitions to provide that certain entities providing physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology are not home health agencies.

HB 2052, which would update cross references in the Personal and Family Protection Act regarding the eligibility requirements to obtain a license to carry a concealed handgun; require a license be surrendered to the Attorney General upon suspension or revocation of such license; provide for a transition from a provisional license to a standard license; prohibit the collection of personal information of an off-duty law enforcement officer entering buildings while armed or requiring such officer to wear any item identifying such person as a law enforcement officer or being armed.

HB 2062, which would provide for child support for unborn children from the date of conception,  including the direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses of the mother.

HB 2067, which would establish a grant program and the Feminine Hygiene Product Grant Fund to award moneys to qualifying Title I schools to provide feminine hygiene products to students at no cost and would make and concern appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, for the Department of Education.

HB 2069, which would enact the School Psychologist Compact to provide interstate practice privileges.

HB 2070, which would enact the Dietitian Compact to provide interstate practice privileges.

HB 2073, which would provide a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene products and diapers.

HB 2075, which would require that a permanency hearing for a child in custody of the Secretary be held within nine months of such child’s removal from such child’s home and subsequent hearings be held every six months thereafter.

HB 2078, which would provide an income tax credit for contributions to a child care provider or intermediary.

HB 2081, which would provide a sales tax exemption for community pharmacies that provide services to medically underserved individuals and families.

HB 2094, which would authorize the sale of electronic cigarettes in cigarette vending machines.

HB 2101, which would prohibit cities and counties from adopting or implementing a guaranteed income program; render prior adopted programs null and void; and define guaranteed income program.

HB 2104, which would standardize firearm safety education training programs in school districts.

HB 2132, which would modify the definition of neglect; prohibit the removal of a child from such child’s home due solely to a lack of financial resources; require facts of imminent harm due to a lack of financial resources demonstrate more than one fact of such lack of financial resources; and allow the court to consider the participation of parents in services when determining whether a child shall be removed from such child’s home.

 HB 2159, which would create the Emergency Opioid Antagonists Assistance Grant Fund to assist law enforcement agencies with purchasing emergency opioid antagonists; provide immunity for law enforcement agencies and officers for damages resulting from administering an emergency opioid antagonist; and remove law enforcement agencies and officers from the state board of pharmacy’s statewide opioid antagonist protocol.

HB 2163, which would provide for the Preceptor Income Tax Incentive Act and establish a credit for nursing home administrators, registered nurses and registered dietitians that serve as community-based faculty preceptors in adult care homes and medical care facilities by providing personalized instruction, training and supervision for students.

HB 2167, which would create the crime of unlawful storage of a firearm and provide criminal penalties for violations thereof.

HB 2171, which would create the Abolish Abortion Kansas Act; make all abortions subject to criminal prosecution for violation of Alexa’s Law; and remove certain exceptions to wrongful death cause of action for the death of an unborn child when such death is caused by an abortion.

HB 2172, which would establish the Water Program Task Force to evaluate the state’s water program; provide funding for such program; and require a report thereon to the Legislature and the Governor.

HB 2183, which would modify elements in the crimes of sexual exploitation of a child, unlawful transmission of a visual depiction of a child and breach of privacy; prohibit certain acts related to visual depictions in which the person depicted is indistinguishable from a real child, morphed from a real child’s image or generated without any actual child involvement; provide an exception for cable services in the crime of breach of privacy; and prohibit dissemination of certain items that appear to depict or purport to depict an identifiable person.

HB 2196, which would provide permanent exemptions from the Personal and Family Protection Act for postsecondary educational institutions.

HB 2198, which would enact the Gun Violence Restraining Order Act and authorize the issuance of protective orders prohibiting the acquisition and possession of firearms by certain individuals.

HB 2200, which would create a traffic infraction for leaving a firearm in an unattended vehicle without securely storing such firearm; provide exceptions and penalties therefor; and require the Office of the Attorney General to create certain educational campaign materials.

HB 2210, which would establish a child tax credit.

HB 2217, which would expand the power of the Inspector General to investigate and audit all state cash, food and health assistance programs.

HB 2219, which would enact the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact to provide interstate practice privileges.

HB 2221, which would create the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Fund; transfer moneys and liabilities of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Fund to the KDADS Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Fund; and abolish the KDOC Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Fund.

HB 2223, which would modify certain provisions of the optometry law related to scope of practice, definitions and credentialing requirements.

HB 2232, which would establish a child tax credit.

HB 2236, which would establish the Mental Health Intervention Team (MHIT) Program in state statute and provide incentives for coordination between school districts, qualified schools and MHIT providers.

HB 2240, which would require approval by an act of the Legislature prior to any state agency seeking or implementing a Medicaid state plan, state plan amendment, state demonstration or waiver under Section 1115 or 1915 of the federal Social Security Act that expands coverage or increases cost to the state or changes funding structures and services for persons with intellectual disabilities and would  delegate approval of such plans and changes to the Legislative Coordinating Council when the Legislature is not in session.

HB 2245, which would transfer officers, employees, powers, duties and functions relating to the State Health Care Benefits Program and the State Workers Compensation Self-Insurance Fund from the Division of the State Employee Health Benefits Plan of the Kansas Department of Administration to the Kansas Insurance Department; establish the Commissioner of Insurance as the chairperson of the Kansas State Employees Health Care Commission; provide that all management functions of such commission shall be administered by the Commissioner of Insurance; and eliminate a pilot program regarding employer contributions for certain children.

HB 2246, which would require that hospitals provide online pricing information for certain items and services; enact the Consumer Protection Related To Hospital Price Transparency Act; and refer noncompliant hospitals to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for enforcement purposes.

HB 2248, which would establish the Kansas Nursing Initiative Grant program and authorize the State Board of Regents to approve need-based or competitive grants or support postsecondary educational institutions with various instructional and student support costs for nursing courses in programs approved by the Board of Nursing.

 HB 2249, which would require the Secretary of KDADS to grant waivers related to nursing facility physical environment regulatory requirements to certain rural emergency hospitals to provide skilled nursing facility care.

HB 2250, which would increase the annual assessment on services rate on inpatient and outpatient hospital providers’ revenue and would expand exemptions for such assessment.

HB 2274, which would remove the active requirement from military servicemembers for occupational licensure.

HB 2277, which would reduce the rate of tax imposed on prepared food and increase the percent credited to the state highway fund from revenue collected.

HB 2280, which would establish that the authorized activities of paramedics, advanced emergency medical technicians, emergency medical technicians and emergency medical responders may be authorized upon the order of a health care professional; permit nonemergency ambulance services to offer service for less than 24 hours per day every day of the year; and require entities placing automated external defibrillators for use within the state to register with the Emergency Medical Services Board.

HB 2284, which would require the adoption of policies related to the procurement of managed care organizations for the Kansas program of medical assistance.

HB 2294, which would reduce license fees and training requirements for staff of child care centers; create a process for day care facility licensees to apply for a temporary waiver of certain statutory requirements; authorize the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to develop and operate pilot programs to increase child care facility availability and capacity; establish the Kansas Office of Early Childhood; transfer administration of day care licensing, parent education programs and the child care subsidy program to the Kansas Office of Early Childhood; create the Day Care Facilities and Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies Licensing Fee Fund and the Day Care Criminal Background and Fingerprinting Fund; and define youth development programs.

HB 2307, which would transfer the power to authorize and oversee certain activities regarding prenatal and postnatal diagnosed conditions awareness programs from KDHE to the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities.

HB 2311, which would prohibit the Secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) from adopting and enforcing policies for placement, custody or appointment of a custodian that may conflict with sincerely held religious or moral beliefs regarding sexual orientation or gender identity and would create a right of action for violations against the Secretary.

HB 2325, which would authorize judges to commit juvenile offenders to detention for technical violations of probation and would increase the cumulative detention limit for juvenile offenders and criminal penalties for juvenile offenders who use a firearm in the commission of an offense or who are repeat offenders.

HB 2329, which would provide for increased placement of juvenile offenders in non-foster home beds in youth residential facilities; require the Secretary of KDOC to pay for the costs associated with such placements; and authorize the Secretary to make expenditures from the Evidence-Based Programs Account of the State General Fund to contract for such beds in youth residential facilities.

HB 2335, which would add maternity center to the definition of healthcare provider related to the Healthcare Provider Insurance Availability Act.

HB 2359, which would enact the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act and the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship and Other Protective Arrangements Act.

HB 2365, which would establish the South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital as a state hospital.

HB 2368, which would enact the Anesthesiologist Assistant Licensure Act and provide for the powers, duties and functions of the State Board of Healing Arts thereunder.

HB 2374, which would create the Specialty Practice Student Loan Program; establish the Specialty Medical Loan Repayment Fund; allow for transfers from the Psychiatry Medical Loan Repayment Fund and the OBGYN Medical Loan Repayment fund to the Specialty Medical Loan Repayment Fund; and abolish the Psychiatry Medical Loan Repayment Fund and the OBGYN Medical Loan Repayment Fund.

HB 2375, which would expand medical assistance eligibility; enact the Healthcare Access for Working Kansans (HAWK) Act; direct KDHE to study certain Medicaid expansion topics; and add meeting days to the Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight to monitor implementation of expanded medical assistance eligibility.

HB 2379, which would enact the Kansas Voluntary Do-Not-Sell Firearms List Act; require the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to establish the Kansas Voluntary Do-Not-Sell Firearms List; permit a person to submit a request form to a health care provider to add such person to the list; and establish a civil fine not to exceed $500 or up to five hours of community service for violations of such act.

HB 2381, which would establish the Safe and Secure Firearm Detection Program; provide for certain entities to use firearm detection software; establish the Safe and Secure Firearm Detection Fund; and transfer funds from the State General Fund to support the program.

HB 2383, which would establish a pilot program to provide health services to child care providers; make telehealth consultation services available to eligible child care providers; provide up to $100 per month in reimbursements for prescription medication costs to child care providers accepted into the health services program; prohibit cities, counties or other political subdivisions from regulating licensed child care providers more strictly than state law; require KDHE to provide a list of licensed child care providers to any city, county or other political subdivision upon request; provide any licensed in-home or group-home child care providers that receive a lower tier of reimbursement under the Child and Adult Care Food Program to be matched with the top tier of funding that is otherwise made available to other providers under the program; develop and provide free orientation and training programs and training materials to child care providers and licensees; and require KDHE and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet to develop a training reimbursement program.

HB 2386, which would update income requirements relating to eligibility for the state Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Senate Bills

Senate Bill (SB) 1, which would exempt the state from daylight saving time and would provide for moving to permanent daylight savings time upon an act of Congress requiring such move.

SB 14, which would provide for a continuous budget until amended, lapsed or eliminated by the Legislature; temporary reallocations; and would establish conditions and limitations therefor.

Substitute (Sub.) for SB 29, which would remove the authorization for a county or joint board of health or local health officer to prohibit public gatherings when necessary for the control of infectious or contagious diseases.

Sub. for SB 67, which would authorize registered nurse anesthetists to prescribe, procure and administer drugs consistent with the nurse’s education and qualifications.

SB 68, making and concerning appropriations for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2025, June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027, for state agencies; authorizing certain transfers, capital improvement projects and fees; imposing certain restrictions and limitations; and directing or authorizing certain receipts, disbursements, procedures and acts incidental to the foregoing.

SB 69, relating to rural opportunity zones, would extend the time period for eligibility for the loan repayment program and the income tax credit; add down payment assistance and child care reimbursement as program benefit options; and expand eligibility for the income tax credit.

SB 76, would enact the Given Name Act to require employees of school districts and postsecondary educational institutions to use the name and pronouns consistent with a student’s biological sex and birth certificate and would authorizing a cause of action for violations therefor.

SB 79, relating to food assistance, which would direct the Secretary for DCF to request a waiver from the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) that would allow the state to prohibit purchase of candy and soft drinks with food assistance.

SB 82, relating to nursing facility physical environment regulatory requirements, which would require the Secretary for KDADS to grant waivers to certain rural emergency hospitals to provide skilled nursing facility care.

SB 85, which would direct the Secretary of DCF to enter into agreements with state agencies for the continuous review and comparison of data for public assistance eligibility and require the Secretary to review federal sources to verify such eligibility.

SB 88, which would require the state long-term care ombudsman and any regional ombudsman to receive training in memory care.

SB 100, which would enact the Kansas Fair Change Housing and Homelessness Reduction Act; would prohibit the reporting of evictions or rental arrears information by consumer reporting agencies or the use of such information by landlords for adverse action against tenants after three years from the date of the evictions or rental arrears; and would require consumer reporting agencies to provide an opportunity for individuals to explain any record of evictions or rental arrears.

SB 101, which would create the position of drug abuse resistance education (DARE) educator and provide for the duties and responsibilities thereof.

SB 107, which would provide a sales tax exemption for period products, diapers and incontinence products.

SB 126, which would enact the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact to provide interstate practice privileges.

SB 132, which would reduce license fees and training requirements; create a process for day care facility licensees to apply for a temporary waiver of certain statutory requirements; authorize the Secretary of KDHE to develop and operate pilot programs to increase child care facility availability and capacity; establish the Kansas office of early childhood; transfer administration of day care licensing parent education programs and the child care subsidy program to the Kansas Office of Early Childhood; create the day care facilities and child care resource and referral agencies licensing fee fund and the day care criminal background and fingerprinting fund; and define youth development programs.

SB 133, which would enact the Responsible Gun Ownership Act; establish the crime of unlawful storage of a firearm; and provide penalties for violations thereof.

SB 135, would provide precedence of child-related orders issued under the Protection From Abuse Act.

SB 149, which would add a definition of haircare therein; require that a haircare plan be part of the case plan for a child in custody of the Secretary of DCF; and require the Secretary to offer training on culturally competent haircare to foster parents and kindship caregivers.

SB 161, which would require approval by an act of the Legislature prior to any state agency seeking or implementing any public assistance program waiver or other authorization from the federal government that expands eligibility for any public assistance program or increases cost to the state or making certain changes in services for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities and would authorize approval of waivers or other authorizations by the Legislative Coordinating Council when the Legislature is not in session.

SB 175, which would update the definition of athletic trainer and would provide for an exception for those licensed in another state, District of Columbia, territory or foreign country to practice in Kansas.

SB 186, which would prohibit smoking on the gaming floor of a lottery gaming facility or racetrack gaming facility and would amend the definition of smoking to include the use of an electronic cigarette and smoking of marijuana.

Sub. for SB 193, which would exempt law enforcement agencies who do not provide emergency opioid antagonist pursuant to the statewide protocol from the requirement to procure a physician medical director.

SB 199, which would define the fireworks sales season for seasonal retailers of consumer fireworks and provide for year-round sales by permanent retailers of consumer fireworks; require registration with the state fire marshal by permanent retailers; create the license categories of distributor of display fireworks, distributor of articles pyrotechnic and unlimited distributor; and limit lawful sale of fireworks labeled “For Professional Use Only” to certain license categories.

SB 207, which would establish a pilot program to provide health services to child care providers; make telehealth consultation services available to eligible child care providers; provide up to $100 per month in reimbursements for prescription medication costs to child care providers accepted into the health services program; prohibit cities, counties or other political subdivisions from regulating licensed child care providers more strictly than state law; require KDHE to provide a list of licensed child care providers to any city, county or other political subdivision upon request; provide any licensed in-home or group-home child care providers that receive a lower tier of reimbursement under the child and adult care food program to be matched with the top tier of funding that is otherwise made available to other providers under the program; develop and provide free orientation and training programs and training materials to child care providers and licensees; allow orientation and training to count as continuing education hours; and require KDHE and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet to develop a training reimbursement program.

SB 208, which would prohibit the use of any prone restraint on a juvenile who is in custody at a juvenile detention facility or juvenile correctional facility or being assessed as part of the juvenile intake and assessment system.

SB 209, which would provide an exemption for sales of firearms, firearm accessories, ammunition, firearm safes and firearm safety devices.

SB 224, which would provide for the Preceptor Income Tax Incentive Act and establish a credit for nursing home administrators, registered nurses and registered dietitians that serve as a community-based faculty preceptor in adult care homes and medical care facilities by providing personalized instruction, training and supervision for students.

SB 228, which would provide for the regulation of supplemental nursing services agencies and health care worker platforms thereby and create the Supplemental Nursing Services Agency and Healthcare Worker Platforms Regulation Fund.

SB 233, which would establish requirements for the decommissioning of commercial wind and solar energy facilities; require a county to enter into a decommissioning agreement with a facility owner prior to construction of any such facility; require the facility owner to provide financial assurance in an amount sufficient to cover the costs of decommissioning; and require decommissioning costs to be paid by affected landowners under certain circumstances.

SB 234, which would prohibit medical and research facilities from using genetic sequencers or operational software used for genetic analysis that is produced in or by a foreign adversary.

SB 250, which would enact the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act to permit certain manufacturers to make individualized investigative treatments available to eligible requesting patients.

SB 253, which would enact the Massage Therapist Licensure Act; provide for regulation and licensing of massage therapists; and outline the powers, duties and functions of the State Board of Healing Arts.

SB 257, which would expand medical assistance eligibility; enact the Heathcare Access for Working Kansans (HAWK) Act; direct KDHE to study certain Medicaid expansion topics; and add meeting days to the Robert G (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight to monitor implementation of expanded medical assistance eligibility.

SB 263, which would establish standards and requirements for active shooter drills conducted by public and accredited nonpublic elementary and secondary schools.

SB 264, which would remove noncooperation with child support from disqualifications for child care subsidies.

SB 271, which would update income requirements for eligibility for the state Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

SB 275, which would require the inclusion of a human fetal development presentation as part of the curriculum for any course that addresses human growth, human development or human sexuality.

SB 276, which would require the state fire marshal to complete certain annual training in person-centered care and responding to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and intellectual and developmental disabilities and would remove the state fire marshal from the Adult Care Home Licensure Act and the Providers of Disability Services Act.

SB 277, which would exempt certain qualified tips from state income tax.