Fire Marshal Body Camera Debate Continues
On Tuesday this week, the Government Affairs team provided oral proponent testimony in Senate Public Health and Welfare on HB2777, which prohibits the Fire Marshal and employees from utilizing body worn cameras on inspections. Representative Tim Johnson provided oral proponent testimony on his experience with childcare facilities and why the cameras should not be utilized. Written only proponent testimony from Kansas Healthcare Association and the Kansas Hospital Association were also submitted. The Fire Marshal provided oral neutral testimony and highlighted he wished things had not become so “adversarial” with stakeholders. You can watch the committee hearing on YouTube and view the testimony here.
Later in the afternoon, House Health and Human Services held a hearing on SB352, the John D. Springer patient bill of rights. Since adult care homes are not included in this version of the bill, LeadingAge Kansas did not provide testimony but closely monitored what was shared. The two opponents, Kansas Hospital Association and Kansas Medical Society, outlined concerns with SB352 and referred to Representative Eplee’s bill, HB 2548, as being a more well-constructed bill for both patients and providers. The committee attempted to work on the bill immediately preceding the hearing, but the motion was argued by Representative Barth who wanted more time to review the bill. The committee met on Wednesday afternoon to gut the contents of SB352, insert the contents of HB2548, and pass it out of committee. This bill will now be referred to as H Sub for SB352. LeadingAge Kansas provided proponent testimony at the original hearing for HB2548. You can watch the committee hearing on YouTube and view the testimony here.
Senate Ways and Means has finished working their mega budget bill and all funding requests from the Human Services subcommittee made it through. The House Appropriations committee wrapped up their mega budget bill work on Thursday evening. Each budget bill will now go through respective chambers for the committee of the whole to debate, amend, and pass out in preparation for conference committees towards the end of the month.
Bill Tracker
View our bill tracker to see which bills are exempt from legislative deadlines and upcoming hearings.
Coming Up
Tuesday, March 12 – Hearing on HB2784, changing the oversight of CCRC from KID to KDADS, in Senate Public Health and Welfare. LeadingAge Kansas will be providing oral testimony.
Not a fan of reading weekly legislative updates? We’ve got you covered. Listen and watch updates each Friday on our Spotify Podcast and TikTok.
