Healthcare (Substance Abuse) in Kansas

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2668: Mandating health insurers to provide coverage for pain management services.

HB 2668 requires all Kansas health insurance plans (both individual and group) to create and submit to the Department of Insurance a plan covering non-opioid pain management services, such as non-opioid medications and non-medication options like physical therapy. Insurers must ensure their plans don't unduly favor opioid prescriptions over these alternatives. The law applies to all policies issued or renewed in Kansas starting January 1, 2027, aiming to expand access to non-opioid pain treatment options for policyholders.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse

vetoed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2727: Providing for the plaintiff to elect to limit recovery in claims brought for violations of the woman's-right-to-know act and making the laws providing for medical malpractice screening inapplicable when such election is made.

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.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Women's Health

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2694: Enacting the opioid patients right to know act to require the disclosure of the risks associated with prescribed opioid use.

HB 2694, the "opioid patients right to know act," requires healthcare providers to discuss specific risks with patients before prescribing opioid pain medication for acute or chronic pain. Before issuing an initial opioid prescription, providers must explain addiction and overdose risks, dangers of mixing opioids with alcohol or other sedatives, the necessity of the prescription, available alternative treatments, and the specific risks of the prescribed drug. Providers must document this discussion in the patient's medical record. The law does not apply to prescriptions for cancer treatment, hospice/palliative care, long-term facility residents, or medications treating substance use disorders.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2436: Defining emergency opioid antagonist as including an expired emergency opioid antagonist for a person rendering aid to another in reasonable need of medical assistance.

HB 2436 allows anyone providing medical assistance during an opioid overdose to use an expired emergency opioid antagonist (like naloxone) up to 10 years past its expiration date. This directly affects bystanders, first responders, and community members administering overdose reversal drugs. The bill amends Kansas law to explicitly include expired antagonists in the definition of "emergency opioid antagonist," ensuring they can be legally used in emergencies. This change increases access to life-saving treatment by removing expiration barriers during urgent situations. The law also maintains existing immunity protections for people seeking help or administering aid during overdoses.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2489: Requiring school districts to provide fentanyl abuse education programs and maintain supplies of naloxone in each school.

HB 2489 requires Kansas public school districts to implement fentanyl abuse education programs for students in grades 9-12, using age-appropriate guidance developed by the state board of education. It also mandates that all schools maintain a stock supply of naloxone (an opioid overdose reversal medication) in accessible storage, with trained staff authorized to administer it during emergencies. School districts may use funds from the Kansas Fights Addiction Fund - partially sourced from opioid litigation settlements - to purchase naloxone supplies. The bill establishes specific protocols for naloxone storage, inventory tracking, and administration by designated school personnel. This law directly affects all Kansas public schools and their students, aiming to address opioid misuse through prevention education and emergency response readiness.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics School Safety Substance Abuse

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 307: Requiring veterans with a condition from military service to be offered diversion for certain offenses and expanding the mitigating factor for departure at sentencing for veterans.

SB 307 establishes a veteran diversion program requiring county prosecutors to offer eligible veterans an alternative to prosecution for specific offenses. Veterans with military-connected health conditions (such as PTSD, substance use disorders, or traumatic brain injury) who face misdemeanor charges or severity levels 7-10 felonies may enter a tailored treatment program instead of traditional criminal proceedings. The bill also expands sentencing considerations by adding military trauma as a formal mitigating factor for judges when determining penalties. This applies to veterans who served in the armed forces (including National Guard/Reserve) and have documented military-related health challenges.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Sentencing Substance Abuse Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2506: Establishing the addiction counselor apprentice license and setting fees for such license.

HB 2506 creates a new "addiction counselor apprentice license" in Kansas to help individuals gain entry into the field before obtaining full licensure. This license directly affects aspiring addiction counselors who have a bachelor's degree and specific coursework in substance use disorders but lack the full supervised experience required for full licensure. The bill establishes requirements including a bachelor's degree from an approved program, substance use disorder coursework, and supervised work experience, while setting fees for this new license tier. It amends existing Kansas law (K.S.A. 65-6610 and 65-6618) to add this apprentice category to the current licensing structure for addiction counselors.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Substance Abuse

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2159: Exempting law enforcement agencies who do not provide emergency opioid antagonistspursuant to the statewide protocol from the requirement to procure a physician medical director.

HB 2159 creates a $4 million annual grant fund to help law enforcement agencies purchase emergency opioid antagonists (like naloxone) for overdose response. It removes law enforcement agencies from the state's statewide opioid antagonist protocol, exempting them from requirements such as needing a physician medical director for their program. The bill also provides legal immunity for officers who administer these drugs during emergencies. Priority for the grants will go to small agencies that have adopted policies requiring opioid antagonist use.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2364: Prohibiting certain health insurers from requiring cost-sharing for nonopioid prescription drugs or providing less favorable coverage for such drug than that for opioid or narcotic prescription drugs for the treatment of pain.

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.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

signed · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 193: Sub for SB 193 by Committee on Public Health and Welfare - Exempting law enforcement agencies who do not provide emergency opioid antagonists pursuant to the statewide protocol from the requirement to procure a physician medical director.

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.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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