Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

HB 2727 allows plaintiffs in lawsuits claiming violations of Kansas' "woman's-right-to-know" act (specifically regarding abortion informed consent) to choose a $5,000 statutory damages limit instead of seeking full compensation. If this election is made, Kansas' medical malpractice screening panel requirements (K.S.A. 65-4901-65-4908) no longer apply to the case. The bill directly affects individuals filing abortion-related informed consent claims against healthcare providers. It creates a streamlined option for plaintiffs seeking limited recovery in these specific cases, without altering the core requirements of the woman's-right-to-know act.

SB 193 amends Kansas law to remove law enforcement agencies and officers from the statewide protocol for opioid reversal medications (emergency opioid antagonists). This change exempts law enforcement agencies from the requirement to have a physician medical director, as they are no longer defined as "first responders" or "first responder agencies" under the protocol. The bill revises key definitions in the statute to exclude law enforcement, meaning these agencies are no longer subject to the protocol's training, storage, and medical oversight rules. As a result, law enforcement in Kansas will not be required to follow the specific procedures for opioid reversal medications that apply to other first responders like emergency medical services or fire departments.