The 2026 Kansas Legislative Session closed with several significant outcomes for aging services providers across the continuum of care. From important budget gains to policy movement and interim study assignments, LeadingAge Kansas members will see both immediate and long-term impacts from this year’s work.
Budget Outcomes
Nursing Homes & Facility-Based Services
- Nursing Home Rebase: A 1.92% increase was approved, totaling $6.8M SGF, and included in consensus caseloads and the Governor’s recommendations.
- Medicaid Nursing Home Capacity Payment: Legislature approved $15 per resident per day, for a total of $21.9M SGF.
PACE
- PACE Rebase: Funding set to bring PACE to 90% of AWOP, totaling $3.3M SGF. Included in consensus caseloads and Governor’s recommendations.
HCBS – Frail Elderly (FE)
- Additional Waiver Slots: $15M SGF to expand FE waiver capacity.
- Rate Changes:
- Level 1: Increase from $27.32 → $30/hr
- Level 2: Remains $30/hr
- Level 3: Adjusted from $33.24 → $30/hr to support a $10/hr increase for PD agency-directed personal care services
Senior Nutrition
- $3M increase for senior nutrition services, paired with directive language ensuring equitable distribution, including guaranteed support for Meals on Wheels programs.
Involuntary Discharge Reporting Updates – State Licensed Only ACHs
Significant technical and procedural improvements were adopted this year:
- Providers will now report even when they have zero discharges, creating a true baseline.
- New clarity on reporting timelines and data-quality expectations.
- Penalties permitted only after a written corrective notice for non-reporting.
- KDADS will continue receiving all data but will issue quarterly summaries to LTCO, LeadingAge Kansas, and KHCA.
- An annual report to the Legislature on discharge regulatory options is due January 11, 2027, from LTCO, LeadingAge Kansas, and Kansas Healthcare Association.
Key Policy Activity
LeadingAge Kansas Priority Bills
- SB 334 – Nursing Faculty Educational Requirements
Passed: Senate 38–2; House 81–43 - HB 2184 / SB 228 – Staffing Agency Standards
Did not move due to a high fiscal note. - HB 2163 – Aging Services Preceptor Tax Incentive Act
Did not move due to budget impacts.
Other Bills of Interest
- HB 2528 – Board of Nursing Overhaul
Passed: Senate 32–8; House 87–38 - HB 2520 – Home Plus Capacity Increase (12 → 16 residents)
Passed: House 90–32; Senate 37–3 - HB 2536 – Dementia Training for Guardians
Passed: House 124–0; Senate 39–1 - SB 363 / HB 2731 – CCR for OBBBA Codification & Medicaid Redeterminations
Passed: Senate 28–11; House 80–43 - HB 2457 – Property Tax Exemptions for 65+ & Removal of Exemptions in Nonprofit Healthcare
No committee action. - HB 2370 – Dementia Care Licensure for Adult Care Homes
Died after the initial hearing. - HB 2718 – Pharmacy Choice for ACH Residents
Died after the initial hearing.
Interim & Ongoing Work
Dementia Care in State-Licensed Settings Workgroup
- The Legislature intended to assign this topic for interim study by stakeholders with KDADS.
- LeadingAge Kansas will serve as a co-lead with the Alzheimer’s Association.
- Final recommendations due August 1, 2026.
Bob Bethell KanCare Oversight Quarterly Meetings
- We will continue to provide testimony on behalf of members and residents on their experiences with KanCare, including impacts of the HCBS-FE rate cuts, and waitlist beginning May 1, 2026.
Full legislative session report will be completed and shared with members by the end of May 2026.
