Healthcare (Healthcare Workforce)

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 41: Adding advanced practice registered nurses to the definition of healthcare provider for purposes of the healthcare provider insurance availability act.

SB 41 amends Kansas law to include licensed advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who practice as nurse-midwives or nurse anesthetists in the legal definition of "healthcare provider" under the Healthcare Provider Insurance Availability Act. This change directly affects APRNs by ensuring they qualify for professional liability insurance coverage required by the statute, which previously may have excluded them. The bill updates Section 40-3401 of Kansas Statutes to add specific language defining APRNs as eligible healthcare providers for insurance purposes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds APRNs to healthcare provider definition for insurance coverage, ensuring they qualify for required liability insurance, improving provider access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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passed · Kansas · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2366: Expanding the scope of practice of naturopathic doctors, specifying continuing education requirements, increasing the required amount of professional liability insurance and modifying certain provisions relating to the licensure and regulations of naturopathic doctors.

HB 2366 expands the scope of practice for licensed naturopathic doctors in Kansas, allowing them to order diagnostic imaging (like X-rays and ultrasounds, but requiring referral to a licensed professional for interpretation), prescribe certain prescription drugs and testosterone, and provide prenatal care. The bill also mandates that naturopathic doctors document prescriptions in writing, maintain appropriate training for prescribed treatments, and register with the Drug Enforcement Administration to prescribe controlled substances. It prohibits naturopathic doctors from performing surgery, administering anesthesia, interpreting diagnostic imaging, or conducting pregnancy terminations. Additionally, the bill specifies new continuing education requirements and increases the minimum professional liability insurance amount required for licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands naturopathic doctors' scope to order imaging, prescribe drugs, and provide prenatal care, increasing patient access to alternative healthcare services with safety documentation requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Women's Health

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2157: Expanding pharmacist's scope of practice to include point-of-care testing for and treatment of COVID-19.

HB 2157 expands Kansas pharmacists' scope of practice to include point-of-care testing for and treatment of COVID-19, directly affecting pharmacists and patients seeking immediate care for this condition. The bill amends Kansas law to add "COVID-19" to the list of conditions where pharmacists may initiate therapy under statewide protocols established by the collaborative drug therapy management advisory committee. These protocols must specify required training, documentation standards, patient assessment tools, and communication with primary care providers. The change takes effect July 1, 2022, and requires pharmacists to operate within these new framework guidelines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacists' ability to test/treat COVID-19, improving patient access to immediate care for a public health issue.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Primary Care

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signed · Kansas · House Mar 13, 2026

HB 2223: Modifying certain provisions of the optometry law relating to scope of practice, definitions and credentialing requirements.

HB 2223 modifies Kansas optometry law to expand what optometrists can legally do. It specifically allows optometrists to prescribe and dispense oral medications (not just topical drugs) for treating eye conditions like adult open-angle glaucoma, and adds new procedures to their scope of practice such as laser capsulotomy and certain eyelid treatments. The bill clarifies that optometrists cannot perform surgery or use general anesthesia, but they may provide pre- and post-operative care for surgeries like cataract removal. This directly affects licensed optometrists in Kansas by changing their legal authority to diagnose, treat, and manage eye health conditions under updated standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands optometrists' scope to prescribe oral meds and new procedures, improving patient access to eye care services without surgery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2184: Providing for the regulation of supplemental nursing services agencies and healthcare workers platforms by the secretary for aging and disability services.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates healthcare worker agencies and platforms to ensure safety and oversight, aligning with patient protection goals in healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2361: Abolishing the nursing scholarship program and creating the Kansas healthcare service scholarship program to include part-time students and expand the list of eligible programs.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reallocates state general fund to expand healthcare scholarships, funding essential education programs beyond previous nursing-only focus.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands healthcare scholarship access to part-time students and allied health programs, increasing educational funding opportunities in higher education.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands healthcare education funding by creating broader scholarship program for nursing, allied health, and part-time students, increasing access to healthcare workforce training.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Student Health Healthcare Workforce

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2369: Allowing pharmacists to administer certain vaccines to children and adults pursuant to a vaccination protocol.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacist scope to administer vaccines without physician orders, improving patient access to routine vaccinations under CDC/FDA guidelines.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Prescription Drugs

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2248: Establishing the Kansas nursing initiative grant program and authorizing the state board of regents to approve need-based or competitive grants for the expansion of nursing faculty, laboratory supplies and tools for student success at postsecondary educational institutions.

HB 2248 establishes the Kansas Nursing Initiative Grant Program, administered by the State Board of Regents, to fund nursing education expansion at eligible Kansas colleges and universities. The program provides need-based or competitive grants covering up to $100,000 for non-consumable lab equipment, adjunct clinical instructors, student success tools (like tutoring and exam prep), and support services (including childcare). To qualify, nursing programs must be nationally accredited, Kansas Board of Nursing-approved, and have licensure exam scores meeting or exceeding national averages. Grants require no institutional funding match and are awarded based on board-established criteria. This directly supports nursing schools and students by addressing faculty shortages and enhancing program accessibility.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds nursing education expansion with grants for lab equipment, instructors, and student support services at postsecondary institutions.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nursing education expansion to increase healthcare workforce capacity, directly strengthening healthcare system infrastructure through workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2266: Enacting the advanced practice registered nurse licensure compact to provide interstate practice privileges for advanced practice registered nurses.

HB 2266 creates a multistate compact allowing advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to practice across state lines with a single license, directly affecting APRNs and healthcare facilities serving patients in multiple states. The bill establishes uniform licensure requirements for APRNs across participating states, eliminating the need for separate licenses in each state and reducing administrative burdens for nurses and healthcare systems. It also requires states to share licensure and disciplinary information through a coordinated system and ensures APRNs comply with the practice laws of the state where the patient is located during care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves interstate licensure barriers for APRNs, improving patient access to healthcare services across state lines by enabling seamless practice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 291: Modifying certain provisions of the optometry law relating to scope of practice, definitions and credentialing requirements.

SB 291 modifies Kansas optometry law to clarify and expand the scope of practice for licensed optometrists. It permits optometrists to prescribe and dispense oral medications (not just topical drugs) for treating eye conditions like adult open-angle glaucoma, while explicitly prohibiting surgical procedures. The bill also adds specific definitions for terms like "adapt," "prescription," and "dispense," and allows licensed nurses and therapists to assist with low vision rehabilitation under supervision. These changes directly affect licensed optometrists in Kansas and their patients, streamlining care for certain eye conditions without altering surgical or anesthesia-related restrictions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands optometrists' scope to prescribe oral medications for eye conditions, improving patient access to treatment without restricting coverage or funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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