Healthcare

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 253: Enacting the massage therapist licensure act to provide for regulation and licensing of massage therapists.

SB 253 establishes a licensing system for massage therapists in Kansas, requiring practitioners to meet specific education and examination standards to legally offer massage therapy services. It directly affects current and future massage therapists by mandating a minimum of 625 hours of training, passing a nationally recognized competency exam, and adhering to defined practice standards (excluding medical diagnoses or treatments like chiropractic care). Key provisions include creating a "massage therapist licensure act" with detailed definitions, setting up a state board to oversee licensing, and providing a grandfathering period through 2026 for existing practitioners who meet alternative criteria like prior experience or training. The bill updates Kansas' regulatory framework for massage therapy to ensure consistent professional standards and client safety.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates massage therapy to ensure practitioner qualifications and patient safety, protecting patient rights within health services.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 294: Enacting the Kansas medical cannabis act to authorize the cultivation, processing, distribution, sale and use of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products.

SB 294, the Kansas Medical Cannabis Act, would create a legal framework for medical cannabis use in Kansas by establishing state licenses for businesses to cultivate, process, distribute, and sell cannabis products to patients with qualifying medical conditions. It directly affects patients with qualifying conditions (like chronic pain or epilepsy) and would authorize state-licensed businesses to operate under new regulations, including requirements for quality testing and secure disposal of waste. Key provisions include creating two new funds for regulation and registration, modifying state drug laws to exempt medical use, and defining strict rules for product types (excluding forms attractive to children). The bill does not authorize recreational use or industrial hemp cultivation, which remains regulated separately under existing law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes medical cannabis access for qualifying health conditions (e.g., chronic pain), directly improving patient treatment options and access to alternative healthcare solutions.92% confidence

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vetoed · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2044: Providing a income tax subtraction modification for amounts received as compensation for serving in the armed forces and providing that a person shall not lose eligibility for a homestead property tax refund claim or the selective assistance for effective senior relief (SAFESR) income tax credit if the appraised valuation of the homestead subsequently exceeds $350,000 after qualifying in a previous tax year.

HB 2044 requires third-party administrators (TPAs) handling insurance funds to maintain separate fiduciary accounts for each individual payor (such as insurance companies or group health plans), prohibiting commingling of funds from multiple payors. The bill mandates that TPAs provide detailed accountings to payors and disclose any bankruptcy filings under U.S. Chapter 9 or 11 to the Kansas Insurance Commissioner. These changes amend Kansas statutes 40-3807 and 40-3809 to enforce clear financial separation and transparency. The law directly affects TPAs and their payors by restructuring how insurance premiums and claims funds are handled and reported.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents commingling of insurance funds, ensuring proper financial management for healthcare coverage and protecting payor funds via separate accounts and bankruptcy disclosures.85% confidence

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2317: Establishing the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders task force to study fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in the state.

HB 2317 establishes a 12-member task force within Kansas' Department of Health and Environment to study the effects and prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in the state. The task force includes legislators, healthcare professionals, educators, foster parents, and advocates, with members appointed by state officials by July 2025. It will examine FASD impacts and may recommend legal or regulatory changes, but does not enact new laws itself. The task force expires December 31, 2026, and its work directly affects state agencies coordinating health, education, and social services related to FASD.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes task force within health department to study FASD impacts, aiming to inform future healthcare policies and interventions related to public health.85% confidence

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signed · Kansas · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 175: Updating the definition of athletic trainer and providing an exemption for those licensed in another state, District of Columbia, territory or foreign country to practice in Kansas.

SB 175 updates Kansas' definition of "athletic training" to include injury prevention, emergency care, rehabilitation, and wellness promotion. It allows athletic trainers licensed in another state, D.C., territory, or foreign country to practice in Kansas without retaking exams if their credentials meet Kansas' standards, through two pathways: (1) equivalent licensure in another jurisdiction, or (2) certification by the National Athletic Trainers' Association. The bill also exempts trainers accompanying visiting sports teams from full licensure requirements, provided they are already licensed elsewhere and serve only that team. These changes replace Kansas' previous licensing rules for athletic trainers, effective upon publication.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to healthcare services by easing licensure for athletic trainers, allowing qualified professionals from other jurisdictions to practice without retaking exams, directly improving patient access to rehabilitation and injury prev...85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

signed · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 2069: Enacting the school psychologist compact, the dietitian compact, the cosmetology compact and the physicians assistant compact to provide interstate practice privileges.

HB 2069 establishes a compact enabling school psychologists licensed in one state to practice in other participating states without duplicative licensing requirements. This improves access to school psychological services by allowing qualified professionals to work across state lines, particularly to address workforce shortages in schools. The compact requires practitioners to follow the scope of practice laws of the state where services are provided and ensures only licensed professionals deliver these services, while preserving each state's authority to protect public health and safety.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables cross-state practice for school psychologists, addressing workforce shortages and improving access to mental health services in K-12 schools, directly expanding educational access.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables interstate practice for school psychologists, improving mental health access in schools by addressing workforce shortages.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 287: Prohibiting law enforcement agencies and officers from participating in immigration enforcement in places of religious worship, elementary and secondary schools and hospitals.

SB 287 is a Kansas bill that prohibits local police and law enforcement agencies from assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with arrests or warrants in places of religious worship, schools, or hospitals. It bans officers from participating in immigration enforcement within these locations and voids any existing agreements with ICE that would violate this rule. The law specifies that police may still enforce state laws but cannot aid federal immigration actions at these specific sites, which include churches, schools (public or private), and healthcare facilities like clinics or hospitals. Violations could lead to disciplinary action against officers. This bill directly affects Kansas law enforcement and federal immigration operations within designated protected locations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits law enforcement from aiding ICE in sensitive locations, protecting civil rights and promoting community trust, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects school access by banning immigration enforcement in schools, reducing barriers for immigrant students and families per bill's prohibition of ICE actions in educational settings.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits immigration enforcement in hospitals, protecting patient access to healthcare without fear of deportation, aligning with healthcare access protections.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits law enforcement from aiding ICE in schools, hospitals, and places of worship, limiting federal immigration enforcement cooperation in sensitive locations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 161: Requiring legislative approval prior to any state agency seeking or implementing a 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.

SB 161 requires Kansas state agencies to get explicit legislative approval before seeking or implementing any federal waiver that would expand public assistance eligibility (like Medicaid) or increase state costs. It directly affects state agencies managing programs such as Medicaid, preventing them from making these changes without a specific law passed by the legislature. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not apply to waivers already in place before that date. This creates a formal legislative checkpoint for significant federal program changes impacting state budgets and service access.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesPrevents state cost increases from federal waivers without legislative approval, restricting unfunded spending expansions in public assistance programs.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts Medicaid expansion by requiring legislative approval for federal waivers that increase state costs or expand eligibility, preventing automatic program changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 224: Providing for the preceptor income tax incentive act, establishing an income tax 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 224 creates a Kansas income tax credit for licensed nursing home administrators, registered nurses, and registered dietitians who provide unpaid mentoring to healthcare students. For every 40 hours of mentoring provided to students training to become healthcare professionals, the preceptor earns a $250 tax credit against their state income tax. To qualify, the mentoring must be uncompensated, and the preceptor must verify hours through their educational institution. This credit applies only to Kansas-licensed professionals working with Kansas postsecondary institutions and does not exceed the taxpayer’s annual income tax liability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income tax credit reducing state tax liability for healthcare mentors, providing tax relief for qualifying professionals per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationSB 224 incentivizes healthcare professionals to mentor students through tax credits, directly supporting educational training in healthcare fields by enhancing workforce development and student instruction.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates tax credit for healthcare preceptors mentoring students, supporting workforce development and improving future healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Long-Term Care

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 31: Updating certain provisions of the Kansas dental practices act relating to dentist information requested by patients, in-person practice requirements in dental office using licensee's name, unprofessional conduct and patient complaints.

SB 31 requires dentists in Kansas to provide patients with basic information - including their full name, license number, and after-hours contact - upon request, with failure to do so subject to disciplinary action. The bill also prohibits agreements that limit a patient’s ability to file complaints with the dental board and eliminates a prior rule requiring dentists to be physically present in their offices at least 20% of the time when patients are being treated. These changes apply to all dental practices operating under the Kansas Dental Practices Act, aiming to improve transparency and reduce regulatory burdens.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires dentists to provide patient information and protect complaint rights, enhancing transparency and accountability in dental care services.85% confidence

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