HB 2597 requires all Kansas employers to provide employees with paid sick leave starting January 1, 2027. Employees earn at least two hours of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours per year, which can carry forward annually. The bill allows use for personal illness, caring for sick family members, addressing domestic violence, or handling emergencies like school closures due to weather. It applies to most employees but explicitly excludes independent contractors, with rules to be implemented by the Kansas Secretary of Labor.
HB 2548 increases the minimum monthly personal needs allowance for residents of Medicaid-approved nursing facilities in Kansas from $60 to $85, effective July 1, 2026. It requires annual adjustments to this allowance based on the chained consumer price index to keep pace with inflation. This change directly benefits Medicaid nursing home residents by allowing them to retain more money for personal expenses like toiletries, snacks, and small purchases. The bill ensures the allowance grows with living costs while maintaining the current structure for Medicaid funding.
SB 430 allows licensed physical therapists in Kansas to perform specific fingerstick blood tests (like lactate and blood glucose) to assess muscle metabolism, exercise tolerance, or rehabilitation progress. It limits these tests to federal "CLIA-waved" assays, requires therapists to hold a federal waiver certificate, and mandates that results only support therapy planning or follow physician orders - never for diagnosing medical conditions. Physical therapists cannot bill insurance for these tests alone but may charge patients for supply costs. The bill explicitly prevents therapists from expanding their diagnostic authority or billing separately for these tests.
SB 334 requires nursing schools in Kansas seeking state approval to ensure their instructors hold nursing degrees at least one level higher than the program they teach (e.g., instructors for practical nursing programs must have a professional nursing degree). This directly affects all Kansas nursing schools applying for or renewing state approval. The bill amends existing law to mandate this faculty qualification standard as part of the approval process, with limited exemptions for schools facing hiring challenges. It does not alter nursing curricula or student requirements.
SB 368 would allow Kansas residents who are members of qualifying health care sharing ministries to deduct their membership expenses (including contributions and administrative fees) from their Kansas state income tax. It also ensures that money received from these ministries for medical expenses isn't treated as taxable income in Kansas. To qualify, residents must be members for at least one month during the tax year, and the deduction only applies to amounts not already deducted on their federal tax return. The bill creates this tax benefit for Kansas residents using these specific nonprofit health-sharing organizations, which operate under federal tax-exempt status and require members to share medical costs voluntarily. The law would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.
SB 414 authorizes the Kansas Secretary of Corrections to use up to $2 million annually from the state's evidence-based programs account to fund licensed residential facilities providing behavioral health crisis intervention services for juveniles. It directly affects facilities licensed by Kansas' Department for Children and Families or Department for Aging and Disability Services that offer crisis intervention programs. The bill establishes a process for the Secretary to enter memorandums of understanding with these facilities, ensuring funding supports short-term crisis care without restricting facility design or requiring jail placements. This policy change specifically redirects existing state funds to expand access to crisis services for juveniles experiencing behavioral health issues.
SB 431 allows Kansas pharmacies to employ remote pharmacists, interns, and technicians to perform certain pharmacy tasks from off-site locations, directly affecting pharmacies, remote workers, and patients receiving remote services. The bill requires pharmacies to maintain secure remote work devices, protect patient data confidentiality, keep detailed records of remote workers for five years, and implement annual safety policies. It prohibits remote workers from handling physical drugs, packaging, compounding, or dispensing, but permits them to process prescriptions and communicate with prescribers under supervision. All remote pharmacy operations must comply with strict security, supervision, and record-keeping rules established by the bill.
SB 315 adjusts funding levels for various Kansas state regulatory boards and agencies for fiscal years 2026-2028. It increases budgets for agencies like the State Bank Commissioner ($13.99 million vs. $13.71 million) and Kansas Board of Barbering ($262,373 vs. $258,595), while decreasing funds for others, such as the State Board of Pharmacy ($3.21 million vs. $3.61 million). The bill modifies specific expenditure limits for these agencies' fee funds without changing their regulatory authority or policy functions. It directly affects state boards overseeing professions including barbering, pharmacy, nursing, and real estate.
SB 337 is a budget bill that allocates funding for Kansas state agencies across fiscal years 2026-2029. It directly affects state boards and commissions by adjusting their annual expenditure limits, such as increasing funding for the State Board of Healing Arts ($8.2M) and Board of Nursing ($4.0M), while decreasing limits for the State Board of Pharmacy ($3.2M) and Real Estate Appraisal Board ($441K). The bill also lapsed unused funds for the Legislative Coordinating Council and authorizes capital improvement projects. It does not create new policies but adjusts existing budget allocations for specific state agency fee funds.
HB 2429 would allow Kansas residents to purchase ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine tablets without a prescription. The bill removes the requirement for a doctor's order or pharmacist consultation for these specific medications. It directly affects the public by changing how these drugs are accessed in Kansas pharmacies. The law would take effect upon publication in state statutes, making these medications available over-the-counter for general sale.
