HB 2067 establishes a $200,000 grant program funded by the state general fund to provide feminine hygiene products (like tampons and pads) at no cost to students in qualifying Title I schools. The program targets public schools serving grades 5-12 that receive federal Title I funding, with grants distributed based on the number of female students in those grades. School districts must apply to participate, and funds reimburse schools for purchasing products and dispensers, which must be available in women’s restrooms and through school counselors/nurses. The grant fund is replenished annually with $200,000 starting July 1, 2026.
HB 2184 creates a regulatory framework for businesses that provide temporary healthcare workers (supplemental nursing services agencies) and online platforms connecting independent healthcare workers with temporary jobs (healthcare worker platforms). The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (the "Secretary") will require these entities to register annually, maintain accessible records, and undergo oversight through unannounced inspections and complaint investigations. The bill establishes a dedicated regulation fund to support the Secretary's enforcement activities, including processing complaints from the public. This directly affects agencies, platforms, and healthcare personnel operating under these models in Kansas.
SB 257, the Healthcare Access for Working Kansans (HAWK) Act, would expand Kansas' medical assistance program to cover non-pregnant adults under 65 with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level, effective January 1, 2026. Applicants must provide employment verification (e.g., pay stubs or W-2 forms), with exemptions for students, parents, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and those experiencing homelessness. The bill requires the state to administer benefits through a managed care system and includes a provision to phase out coverage over 12 months if federal Medicaid funding falls below 90%.
HB 2361 abolishes Kansas's existing nursing scholarship program and replaces it with the "Kansas healthcare service scholarship program." The new program expands eligibility to include part-time students and adds allied health and health science programs to the list of qualifying educational paths, beyond the previous nursing-only focus. It transfers funds from the state general fund to support these expanded scholarship opportunities and amends multiple statutes to reflect the program's updated scope and structure. This change directly affects students pursuing healthcare education at eligible Kansas institutions, including community colleges, universities, and accredited programs.
SB 182 requires dental insurance carriers in Kansas to spend at least 85% of premium dollars on actual patient dental care (not administrative costs) starting July 1, 2026. It mandates annual reports detailing this "dental loss ratio" (DLR) for the commissioner to review, with public disclosure of aggregated data by January 1 each year. Carriers falling below 85% must rebate excess premiums to policyholders by July 1 of the following year, with the commissioner authorized to enforce compliance. This directly affects dental insurers, dental service organizations, and plans offering standalone dental coverage (excluding Medicaid/CHIP).
HB 2375, the Healthcare Access for Working Kansans (HAWK) Act, expands Medicaid eligibility to working adults under 65 with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level, effective January 1, 2026. It requires applicants to provide employment verification (e.g., pay stubs or W-2 forms) unless exempt - such as students, parents, individuals with disabilities, or those experiencing homelessness. The bill mandates Kansas to seek federal approval for this expansion and establishes a managed care system for administering benefits. Coverage would terminate if federal funding drops below 90%, and the law is contingent on federal approval.
HB 2100 allows pharmacists in Kansas to initiate HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication for patients who believe they've been exposed to HIV, directly affecting pharmacists and those at risk of HIV exposure. The bill requires the state board of pharmacy to create a statewide protocol mandating proper patient education on PEP use, safe administration, and follow-up care with a doctor, alongside accurate recordkeeping. Pharmacists acting in good faith under this protocol are protected from civil lawsuits, criminal charges, or professional discipline related to initiating PEP. The protocol must be established by January 1, 2026, to ensure timely access to HIV prevention medication outside of traditional medical settings.
HB 2364 requires health insurers (including Medicaid, CHIP, and state employee plans) to provide equal coverage for FDA-approved nonopioid pain medications as for opioid or narcotic drugs. Specifically, insurers cannot deny coverage for nonopioid drugs in favor of opioids, force patients to try opioids first, or impose higher out-of-pocket costs (like copays or stricter prior authorization) on nonopioid drugs compared to opioids. The bill ensures nonopioid pain medications are not disadvantaged in formulary tiers or coverage rules. It directly affects patients prescribed nonopioid pain treatments and insurers managing drug coverage. The law takes effect upon publication in the statute book.
HB 2070 creates the Dietitian Licensure Compact, allowing licensed dietitians from participating states to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses in each state. The bill directly affects licensed dietitians seeking to work in multiple states, patients accessing dietetics services, and healthcare systems serving military families (as noted in Section 1, subsection (g)). Key mechanisms include establishing uniform requirements for practice, eliminating duplicate licensing, and creating a "compact privilege" equivalent to a license in participating states. This reduces administrative burdens for professionals and states while preserving each state’s authority to regulate practice and hold dietitians accountable for local patient care standards.
HB 2163 creates a Kansas income tax credit for licensed nursing home administrators, registered nurses, and registered dietitians who provide unpaid, one-on-one training and supervision to healthcare students in adult care homes or medical facilities. The credit equals $250 for every 40 hours of mentoring completed, with no annual limit on the credit amount. To claim the credit, preceptors must verify hours through their educational institution and confirm they received no compensation for the same training from their employer. This policy directly affects licensed healthcare professionals in Kansas who mentor students seeking careers in nursing, dietary management, or nursing home administration.
