SB 123 requires the state to reimburse Kansas school districts $0.40 per reduced-price meal served starting in the 2025-2026 school year, replacing a previous 6-cent rate. It directly prohibits local school boards from charging students for these meals, ensuring no out-of-pocket costs for eligible families. The bill also bans using state funds for meals labeled as "identifiable imported meats." This policy change affects all Kansas public schools participating in federally approved reduced-price meal programs and shifts funding responsibility from local fees to state general funds.
HB 2310, the "Kansas CARES Act," creates career pathways for direct support workers serving individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities. It requires new career education programs for students and professional development for current workers, mandates performance-based contracts for disability service providers, and ensures equal payment rates across all state disability waiver programs. The bill also establishes an online portal to manage waitlists and service communications, and requires the state to publish workforce data while expanding health coverage for direct support workers. These changes directly affect individuals with disabilities (by improving service choice), direct support workers (through career and health benefits), and disability service providers (through new contracting rules).
HB 2072 establishes a licensing system for art therapists in Kansas, requiring practitioners to obtain a license to legally offer art therapy services or represent themselves as licensed. It sets specific requirements including a master's degree in art therapy (or equivalent) with at least 60 graduate credit hours, supervised experience under a qualified supervisor, and passing applicable exams. The bill defines two license types: Licensed Professional Art Therapist (LPAT) for general practice and Licensed Clinical Art Therapist for diagnosing and treating mental disorders. Violating the licensing requirement is classified as a class B nonperson misdemeanor.
SB 162 requires Kansas school districts to provide up to one hour of seizure recognition and first aid training to all employees working in school buildings with students diagnosed with seizure disorders, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The training must align with nationally-recognized epilepsy guidelines and cover identifying seizures, responding appropriately, and administering seizure rescue medication. Parents must provide a written seizure action plan, medication authorization, and healthcare provider documentation before medication can be given, which schools must maintain on file. The bill also grants immunity from liability for schools implementing these requirements.
HB 2244 modifies Kansas' pharmacy board composition and prohibits the board from restricting telepharmacy use. It requires the board to include three pharmacist types (community, chain pharmacy, specialty/mail-order) plus a public member, and explicitly bans rules limiting telepharmacy based on population, distance from physical pharmacies, or network adequacy. The bill defines telepharmacy as remote pharmacist services using technology for real-time patient care and counseling at registered locations. These changes directly affect pharmacists, telepharmacy providers, and patients seeking remote pharmacy services across Kansas.
HB 2368 establishes a licensing system for anesthesiologist assistants in Kansas, requiring them to obtain a state license and practice under the direct supervision of a physician anesthesiologist. To work actively, assistants must apply for a license and submit a signed request from their supervising anesthesiologist detailing their practice arrangement. The bill outlines procedures for license renewal, expiration, and reinstatement if a license lapses due to non-payment of fees. This law directly affects anesthesiologist assistants, the physicians who supervise them, and the state board of healing arts managing the licensing process.
HB 2209 expands Kansas' sales tax exemption to include domestic and sexual violence programs, not just domestic violence shelters. The bill amends the state tax code (K.S.A. 79-3606) to remove the current restriction that limited the exemption to "domestic violence shelters" and instead covers all "domestic and sexual violence programs." This means these programs can now purchase necessary items like supplies, equipment, and services without paying state sales tax. The change directly benefits organizations providing critical support services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence across Kansas.
HB 2024 creates a tax credit for Kansas firefighters who pay out-of-pocket for cancer screenings related to their job. It provides up to $250 annually per firefighter for unreimbursed medical expenses related to detecting occupation-related cancer (like lung, prostate, or skin cancer), as defined in the bill. The credit is non-refundable but can be carried forward for up to five years if it exceeds the firefighter’s tax liability in a given year. The total credit amount across all firefighters is capped at $1.5 million annually, with potential adjustments to stay within this limit.
HB 2369 allows Kansas pharmacists to administer certain vaccines to patients aged seven or older (or as recommended by the CDC) under a vaccination protocol. This applies to vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), excluding specific vaccines like cholera, rabies, smallpox, and any vaccine approved after January 1, 2023. The bill expands pharmacists' scope of practice for routine vaccinations without requiring physician orders for eligible vaccines. It replaces the previous pharmacy act provision with these updated rules, effective upon publication.
SB 212 establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board within Kansas' Insurance Department and a Prescription Drug Affordability Stakeholder Council. The Board will review prescription drug costs and set upper payment limits for certain brand name, generic, biologic, and biosimilar drugs using the Consumer Price Index as a benchmark. The Council, with 21 members representing manufacturers, pharmacies, insurers, employers, and the public, will advise the Board on pricing. This bill directly affects drug manufacturers, health insurers, pharmacies, and patients by creating a formal process to cap prices for specific prescription medications.
