(Mar. 12, 2024) – Yesterday, the House Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Brenda Landwehr (R-Wichita) held a roundtable on House Bill 2793. The legislation prohibits health care providers from performing health care services on minors without parental consent.

Participants in the discussion included:

• Andy Brown, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
• Terah Remington-Brown
• Dr. Sarah Gilliland, Kansas School Nurse Organization
• Amy Campbell, Kansas Mental Health Coalition
• Connor Stangler, Children's Mercy Hospital
• Rachelle Colombo, Kansas Medical Society
• Kasey Dalke, Kansas Child Advocacy Centers
• Rachel Marsh, Children's Alliance of Kansas
• Monica Kurz, Kansas Suicide Prevention HQ
• Leah Filter, Kansas Association of School Boards
• Randy Kosterman, Wyandotte County Behavioral Health Network

The roundtable participants highlighted a need to more narrowly define treatments and provide further exceptions for the treatment of venereal disease and substance abuse. Child welfare case management services were exempt.

A committee member asked if screenings would be prohibited without parental consent. Staff confirmed that is the case.

A committee member asked if a 14-year-old could get treatment. Wyandotte County confirmed by Kansas law an initial assessment could be performed but a written diagnosis would be provided to the parents. An explanation was provided on how a teen evaluation is conducted and how notification of the outcomes of the assessment is provided to parents. He believes that emergency medical care should be expanded to include mental health assessments and be consistent with other state statutes.

The committee heard from the Child Advocacy Centers about concerns parents could withdraw consent if they believe someone in their family may be exposed to child sexual assault. The committee asked what percentage of child abuse is reported by schools.

The committee heard 988 crisis center statistics on callers, texters, and messengers under 20 and highlighted it would be difficult to get consent from a minor before providing any messaging or call response. She highlighted they do consent for CCBHC referrals but for mobile crisis they do not require consent. Rep. Bryce suggested the intent of the legislation is to allow services such as the 911 crisis line and mental health services. The roundtable participants highlighted mental health needs to be more specific instead of assuming it falls under emergency care. The committee asked for clarification around the term treatment in the bill.