HB 2691 requires landlords to demonstrate a specific, valid reason (such as unpaid rent, lease violations, or property damage) before filing an eviction lawsuit for residential properties. It mandates that eviction petitions include the rental agreement, tenant notice, and all evidence upfront, or risk dismissal. The bill also removes the requirement for tenants to post a financial bond to request a court date postponement. These changes aim to ensure evictions follow clear legal standards and improve procedural fairness for renters.
HB 2735, the "Patient's Right to Save Act," requires health insurers in Kansas to offer voluntary shared savings programs where enrollees can earn financial incentives (minimum 25% of savings) for choosing specific lower-cost, non-emergency healthcare services like lab tests, surgery, or telehealth. These programs must be listed on an insurer’s public webpage, with incentives applied as premium reductions or deposits to health savings accounts - not as taxable income. Insurers must report program participation, savings, and service details annually to the Kansas Department of Insurance. The law directly affects health insurers (requiring program implementation and reporting) and enrollees (who may benefit from reduced costs for covered services).
HB 2742, the "Family Rights in Medical Investigations Act," requires medical professionals to document consideration of alternative medical explanations before reporting suspected child abuse or neglect. It mandates that medical professionals notify parents before non-emergency exams related to such reports and provide parents with the basis for medical opinions, including the right to request an independent second medical opinion. Parents can obtain a second opinion from an outside provider, which must be considered in the investigation, and the child welfare department must share all relevant medical information with parents. This bill directly affects medical professionals, parents, and child welfare agencies in Kansas by clarifying communication and rights during abuse investigations.
HB 2694, the "opioid patients right to know act," requires healthcare providers to discuss specific risks with patients before prescribing opioid pain medication for acute or chronic pain. Before issuing an initial opioid prescription, providers must explain addiction and overdose risks, dangers of mixing opioids with alcohol or other sedatives, the necessity of the prescription, available alternative treatments, and the specific risks of the prescribed drug. Providers must document this discussion in the patient's medical record. The law does not apply to prescriptions for cancer treatment, hospice/palliative care, long-term facility residents, or medications treating substance use disorders.
HB 2726 changes the standard for removing a judge in a retention election in Kansas. It lowers the threshold for a judge to be removed from requiring a majority (over 50%) of votes against retention to just 40% of votes cast. If 40% or more of voters cast a "no" vote in the retention election, the judge will not be retained and the position becomes vacant at the end of their term. This applies specifically to district court judges in Kansas judicial districts that use nonpartisan selection and retention elections.
HB 2722 updates Kansas trust law to clarify that specific types of "resultant trusts" (created after a settlor's death or when a power of appointment is exercised) cannot be claimed by the settlor's creditors. This directly affects creditors seeking to recover debts from these trusts and beneficiaries who receive assets through such trusts. The bill amends Kansas' trust code to remove creditor claims against these trusts after the settlor's death, except for cases involving reversionary trusts or spouse-funded trusts as defined in the law. The change creates a clear exception to existing rules, ensuring these specific trusts remain protected from the settlor's debts.
HB 2767 establishes the Kansas Military Affairs Commission, replacing the existing Governor's Military Council as the state's official advisory body on military matters. The commission, composed of 13 voting members including the governor (as chair), military leaders, legislative representatives, veterans services officials, and appointed military-affiliated individuals, advises the governor on military-related issues. Key provisions require the commission to provide recommendations on military infrastructure, economic development, quality-of-life improvements for military families, community-military relations, and advocacy for Kansas' military installations in federal decisions. It also mandates quarterly meetings and designates an executive director to coordinate efforts between military installations, state agencies, and communities. This bill directly affects Kansas military installations, veterans services, and communities hosting military personnel.
HB 2690 allows cities and counties (with delegation) to inspect and address interior residential code violations without occupant consent when an administrative warrant is obtained or when there is probable cause of imminent health or safety danger. The bill repeals prior laws requiring consent for such inspections and clarifies that cities may abate health- or safety-related violations directly or delegate this authority to counties. It does not apply to mixed-use properties or standard construction inspections. This change affects residential property owners by removing the consent requirement in specific health and safety emergencies.
HB 2720 establishes a clear priority order for who can make healthcare decisions for Kansas residents who lack the capacity to decide for themselves. It directly affects patients without decision-making capacity, healthcare providers, and families needing to navigate medical choices during emergencies. The bill defines key terms (like "surrogate" and "capacity") and sets the hierarchy: guardians (appointed by court) come first, followed by healthcare agents (like proxies), then patients' designated surrogates (chosen in writing), and finally providers identifying surrogates from family/friends based on a specific order (spouse, adult children, parents, etc.). It also provides guidelines for healthcare providers on implementing this process while respecting patient preferences and legal standards.
HB 2706 bans federal law enforcement officers (like ICE or Customs agents) from conducting enforcement actions - including arrests, searches, or immigration-related interviews - in hospitals, schools, or places of worship within Kansas. It also requires all law enforcement officers (state and federal) to wear visible identification (like a name tag) and prohibits facial coverings that hide their face during public interactions, with exceptions for undercover work, protective gear, medical masks, or safety equipment. The bill directly affects federal officers operating in Kansas and all local law enforcement officers interacting with the public. It aims to increase transparency during police encounters and restrict federal immigration enforcement in sensitive community spaces.
HB 2725 adds district court judges to Kansas' existing state employee drug screening program. It requires the director of personnel services to include judges of the district court in the program when they take office, expanding the current list of covered positions. The bill amends K.S.A. 75-4362 to explicitly list "judge of the district court" as a position subject to drug screening under the program. This is a direct policy change that extends the screening requirement to this specific group of state employees.
HB 2693 regulates how swine waste is applied to agricultural land in Kansas. It prohibits certain application methods (like high-pressure nozzles) and requires low-pressure nozzles under three feet, contour buffer strips on slopes ≥3%, and specific setbacks from homes, roads, parks, and wildlife refuges. The bill mandates that swine facilities with 1,000+ animal units submit detailed nutrient utilization plans - including soil tests, crop rotations, and application rates - to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for approval. These plans must be updated as needed and include measures to prevent odor or nuisance conditions for nearby residents. The law directly affects large swine operations and aims to manage waste application to protect land, water, and community health.
