HB 2314 establishes new certification standards for peer support specialists in Kansas, requiring background checks and setting limits on weekly service hours (30 hours for Level 1, 40 for Level 2). It directs the Secretary of Health and Environment to seek Medicaid reimbursement for telehealth services provided by certified specialists, making these services eligible for state Medicaid coverage. The bill affects peer support specialists, their clients receiving services, and Medicaid programs by creating clear certification rules and expanding telehealth access. Key provisions include mandatory criminal history checks, training session caps, and allowing non-licensed professionals to provide supervision.
HB 2386 updates Kansas' children's health insurance program (KCHIP) by changing income eligibility thresholds. For 2009, eligibility remains at 225% of the federal poverty level, but increases to 250% for 2010 and later years. The bill also adds an 8-month waiting period for new applicants with family income above 200% of the federal poverty level, unless prior coverage ended due to job loss or employer discontinuation. This change directly affects low-income children aged 0-19 in households meeting the updated income criteria, expanding access to health coverage for more families. The program continues to use a sliding-fee scale for payments based on family income.
HB 2067 establishes a $200,000 grant program funded by the state general fund to provide feminine hygiene products (like tampons and pads) at no cost to students in qualifying Title I schools. The program targets public schools serving grades 5-12 that receive federal Title I funding, with grants distributed based on the number of female students in those grades. School districts must apply to participate, and funds reimburse schools for purchasing products and dispensers, which must be available in women’s restrooms and through school counselors/nurses. The grant fund is replenished annually with $200,000 starting July 1, 2026.
HB 2184 creates a regulatory framework for businesses that provide temporary healthcare workers (supplemental nursing services agencies) and online platforms connecting independent healthcare workers with temporary jobs (healthcare worker platforms). The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (the "Secretary") will require these entities to register annually, maintain accessible records, and undergo oversight through unannounced inspections and complaint investigations. The bill establishes a dedicated regulation fund to support the Secretary's enforcement activities, including processing complaints from the public. This directly affects agencies, platforms, and healthcare personnel operating under these models in Kansas.
SB 257, the Healthcare Access for Working Kansans (HAWK) Act, would expand Kansas' medical assistance program to cover non-pregnant adults under 65 with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level, effective January 1, 2026. Applicants must provide employment verification (e.g., pay stubs or W-2 forms), with exemptions for students, parents, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and those experiencing homelessness. The bill requires the state to administer benefits through a managed care system and includes a provision to phase out coverage over 12 months if federal Medicaid funding falls below 90%.
HB 2361 abolishes Kansas's existing nursing scholarship program and replaces it with the "Kansas healthcare service scholarship program." The new program expands eligibility to include part-time students and adds allied health and health science programs to the list of qualifying educational paths, beyond the previous nursing-only focus. It transfers funds from the state general fund to support these expanded scholarship opportunities and amends multiple statutes to reflect the program's updated scope and structure. This change directly affects students pursuing healthcare education at eligible Kansas institutions, including community colleges, universities, and accredited programs.
SB 182 requires dental insurance carriers in Kansas to spend at least 85% of premium dollars on actual patient dental care (not administrative costs) starting July 1, 2026. It mandates annual reports detailing this "dental loss ratio" (DLR) for the commissioner to review, with public disclosure of aggregated data by January 1 each year. Carriers falling below 85% must rebate excess premiums to policyholders by July 1 of the following year, with the commissioner authorized to enforce compliance. This directly affects dental insurers, dental service organizations, and plans offering standalone dental coverage (excluding Medicaid/CHIP).
SB 174 makes all abortions in Kansas subject to criminal prosecution under existing "Alexa's law" (which treats fetal homicide as murder), removing all prior exceptions that allowed abortions to be performed without criminal penalties. It also eliminates civil lawsuits for wrongful death when an abortion causes the death of an unborn child, previously permitted under certain circumstances. The bill directly affects abortion providers, patients seeking abortions, and medical professionals who may face criminal charges or civil liability. Key mechanisms include amending Kansas statutes (21-5206 and 21-5419) to define "unborn child" broadly as a living human organism from fertilization to birth and repealing prior exceptions allowing abortion-related civil claims.
HB 2375, the Healthcare Access for Working Kansans (HAWK) Act, expands Medicaid eligibility to working adults under 65 with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level, effective January 1, 2026. It requires applicants to provide employment verification (e.g., pay stubs or W-2 forms) unless exempt - such as students, parents, individuals with disabilities, or those experiencing homelessness. The bill mandates Kansas to seek federal approval for this expansion and establishes a managed care system for administering benefits. Coverage would terminate if federal funding drops below 90%, and the law is contingent on federal approval.
HB 2100 allows pharmacists in Kansas to initiate HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication for patients who believe they've been exposed to HIV, directly affecting pharmacists and those at risk of HIV exposure. The bill requires the state board of pharmacy to create a statewide protocol mandating proper patient education on PEP use, safe administration, and follow-up care with a doctor, alongside accurate recordkeeping. Pharmacists acting in good faith under this protocol are protected from civil lawsuits, criminal charges, or professional discipline related to initiating PEP. The protocol must be established by January 1, 2026, to ensure timely access to HIV prevention medication outside of traditional medical settings.
