(Jan. 29, 2024) – Today, the House Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Brenda Landwehr (R-Wichita), heard an update from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment on vaccines in Kansas. Ashley Goss, KDHE deputy secretary for public health, discussed the relevant state statutes and school and daycare vaccine requirements and exemptions. Goss also covered the requirements for college students, hospital employees, daycare workers and businesses. The committee requested clarification that hospitals receiving Medicare funding are required to meet both state and federal requirements.

The committee also held a hearing on House Bill 2596, adding and removing certain substances in schedules I, II, IV and V of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and making conforming changes to the criminal code definitions of fentanyl-related controlled substances. Alexandra Blasi, executive secretary of the Kansas Board of Pharmacy appeared before the committee as a proponent. Nicholas Reieger, private citizen appeared as a neutral conferee. There were no opponents to the bill. The committee recommended the bill for passage. It will now go to the full house floor. 

The committee will meet again tomorrow for hearings on House Bill 2547  and House Bill 2578. HB 2547 authorizes schools to maintain certain emergency medication kits and to administer such medication in emergencies. HB 2578 provides that programs and treatments provided by a certified community behavioral health clinic be granted a renewal certification if such programs and treatments have been previously certified or accredited.