SB 253 establishes a licensing system for massage therapists in Kansas, requiring practitioners to meet specific education and examination standards to legally offer massage therapy services. It directly affects current and future massage therapists by mandating a minimum of 625 hours of training, passing a nationally recognized competency exam, and adhering to defined practice standards (excluding medical diagnoses or treatments like chiropractic care). Key provisions include creating a "massage therapist licensure act" with detailed definitions, setting up a state board to oversee licensing, and providing a grandfathering period through 2026 for existing practitioners who meet alternative criteria like prior experience or training. The bill updates Kansas' regulatory framework for massage therapy to ensure consistent professional standards and client safety.
SB 175 updates Kansas' definition of "athletic training" to include injury prevention, emergency care, rehabilitation, and wellness promotion. It allows athletic trainers licensed in another state, D.C., territory, or foreign country to practice in Kansas without retaking exams if their credentials meet Kansas' standards, through two pathways: (1) equivalent licensure in another jurisdiction, or (2) certification by the National Athletic Trainers' Association. The bill also exempts trainers accompanying visiting sports teams from full licensure requirements, provided they are already licensed elsewhere and serve only that team. These changes replace Kansas' previous licensing rules for athletic trainers, effective upon publication.
HB 2069 establishes a compact enabling school psychologists licensed in one state to practice in other participating states without duplicative licensing requirements. This improves access to school psychological services by allowing qualified professionals to work across state lines, particularly to address workforce shortages in schools. The compact requires practitioners to follow the scope of practice laws of the state where services are provided and ensures only licensed professionals deliver these services, while preserving each state's authority to protect public health and safety.
HB 2366 expands the scope of practice for licensed naturopathic doctors in Kansas, allowing them to order diagnostic imaging (like X-rays and ultrasounds, but requiring referral to a licensed professional for interpretation), prescribe certain prescription drugs and testosterone, and provide prenatal care. The bill also mandates that naturopathic doctors document prescriptions in writing, maintain appropriate training for prescribed treatments, and register with the Drug Enforcement Administration to prescribe controlled substances. It prohibits naturopathic doctors from performing surgery, administering anesthesia, interpreting diagnostic imaging, or conducting pregnancy terminations. Additionally, the bill specifies new continuing education requirements and increases the minimum professional liability insurance amount required for licensure.
HB 2157 expands Kansas pharmacists' scope of practice to include point-of-care testing for and treatment of COVID-19, directly affecting pharmacists and patients seeking immediate care for this condition. The bill amends Kansas law to add "COVID-19" to the list of conditions where pharmacists may initiate therapy under statewide protocols established by the collaborative drug therapy management advisory committee. These protocols must specify required training, documentation standards, patient assessment tools, and communication with primary care providers. The change takes effect July 1, 2022, and requires pharmacists to operate within these new framework guidelines.
HB 2223 modifies Kansas optometry law to expand what optometrists can legally do. It specifically allows optometrists to prescribe and dispense oral medications (not just topical drugs) for treating eye conditions like adult open-angle glaucoma, and adds new procedures to their scope of practice such as laser capsulotomy and certain eyelid treatments. The bill clarifies that optometrists cannot perform surgery or use general anesthesia, but they may provide pre- and post-operative care for surgeries like cataract removal. This directly affects licensed optometrists in Kansas by changing their legal authority to diagnose, treat, and manage eye health conditions under updated standards.
HB 2070 creates the Dietitian Licensure Compact, allowing licensed dietitians from participating states to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses in each state. The bill directly affects licensed dietitians seeking to work in multiple states, patients accessing dietetics services, and healthcare systems serving military families (as noted in Section 1, subsection (g)). Key mechanisms include establishing uniform requirements for practice, eliminating duplicate licensing, and creating a "compact privilege" equivalent to a license in participating states. This reduces administrative burdens for professionals and states while preserving each state’s authority to regulate practice and hold dietitians accountable for local patient care standards.
HB 2072 establishes a licensing system for art therapists in Kansas, requiring practitioners to obtain a license to legally offer art therapy services or represent themselves as licensed. It sets specific requirements including a master's degree in art therapy (or equivalent) with at least 60 graduate credit hours, supervised experience under a qualified supervisor, and passing applicable exams. The bill defines two license types: Licensed Professional Art Therapist (LPAT) for general practice and Licensed Clinical Art Therapist for diagnosing and treating mental disorders. Violating the licensing requirement is classified as a class B nonperson misdemeanor.
HB 2368 establishes a licensing system for anesthesiologist assistants in Kansas, requiring them to obtain a state license and practice under the direct supervision of a physician anesthesiologist. To work actively, assistants must apply for a license and submit a signed request from their supervising anesthesiologist detailing their practice arrangement. The bill outlines procedures for license renewal, expiration, and reinstatement if a license lapses due to non-payment of fees. This law directly affects anesthesiologist assistants, the physicians who supervise them, and the state board of healing arts managing the licensing process.
HB 2369 allows Kansas pharmacists to administer certain vaccines to patients aged seven or older (or as recommended by the CDC) under a vaccination protocol. This applies to vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), excluding specific vaccines like cholera, rabies, smallpox, and any vaccine approved after January 1, 2023. The bill expands pharmacists' scope of practice for routine vaccinations without requiring physician orders for eligible vaccines. It replaces the previous pharmacy act provision with these updated rules, effective upon publication.
