Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2668: Mandating health insurers to provide coverage for pain management services.

HB 2668 requires all Kansas health insurance plans (both individual and group) to create and submit to the Department of Insurance a plan covering non-opioid pain management services, such as non-opioid medications and non-medication options like physical therapy. Insurers must ensure their plans don't unduly favor opioid prescriptions over these alternatives. The law applies to all policies issued or renewed in Kansas starting January 1, 2027, aiming to expand access to non-opioid pain treatment options for policyholders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to cover non-opioid pain management services, expanding patient access to alternatives and reducing opioid dependency per bill requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2694: Enacting the opioid patients right to know act to require the disclosure of the risks associated with prescribed opioid use.

HB 2694, the "opioid patients right to know act," requires healthcare providers to discuss specific risks with patients before prescribing opioid pain medication for acute or chronic pain. Before issuing an initial opioid prescription, providers must explain addiction and overdose risks, dangers of mixing opioids with alcohol or other sedatives, the necessity of the prescription, available alternative treatments, and the specific risks of the prescribed drug. Providers must document this discussion in the patient's medical record. The law does not apply to prescriptions for cancer treatment, hospice/palliative care, long-term facility residents, or medications treating substance use disorders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates provider disclosure of opioid risks to patients, enhancing informed consent and patient safety - aligns with protecting patient rights in healthcare.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2436: Defining emergency opioid antagonist as including an expired emergency opioid antagonist for a person rendering aid to another in reasonable need of medical assistance.

HB 2436 allows anyone providing medical assistance during an opioid overdose to use an expired emergency opioid antagonist (like naloxone) up to 10 years past its expiration date. This directly affects bystanders, first responders, and community members administering overdose reversal drugs. The bill amends Kansas law to explicitly include expired antagonists in the definition of "emergency opioid antagonist," ensuring they can be legally used in emergencies. This change increases access to life-saving treatment by removing expiration barriers during urgent situations. The law also maintains existing immunity protections for people seeking help or administering aid during overdoses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows expired naloxone use in overdoses, expanding emergency access to life-saving treatment and aligning with public health goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2489: Requiring school districts to provide fentanyl abuse education programs and maintain supplies of naloxone in each school.

HB 2489 requires Kansas public school districts to implement fentanyl abuse education programs for students in grades 9-12, using age-appropriate guidance developed by the state board of education. It also mandates that all schools maintain a stock supply of naloxone (an opioid overdose reversal medication) in accessible storage, with trained staff authorized to administer it during emergencies. School districts may use funds from the Kansas Fights Addiction Fund - partially sourced from opioid litigation settlements - to purchase naloxone supplies. The bill establishes specific protocols for naloxone storage, inventory tracking, and administration by designated school personnel. This law directly affects all Kansas public schools and their students, aiming to address opioid misuse through prevention education and emergency response readiness.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates fentanyl education programs for grades 9-12 and naloxone access, enhancing student health safety within school curriculum and programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates naloxone access and fentanyl education in schools to combat opioid crisis, advancing public health initiatives and protecting student health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Substance Abuse

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 307: Requiring veterans with a condition from military service to be offered diversion for certain offenses and expanding the mitigating factor for departure at sentencing for veterans.

SB 307 establishes a veteran diversion program requiring county prosecutors to offer eligible veterans an alternative to prosecution for specific offenses. Veterans with military-connected health conditions (such as PTSD, substance use disorders, or traumatic brain injury) who face misdemeanor charges or severity levels 7-10 felonies may enter a tailored treatment program instead of traditional criminal proceedings. The bill also expands sentencing considerations by adding military trauma as a formal mitigating factor for judges when determining penalties. This applies to veterans who served in the armed forces (including National Guard/Reserve) and have documented military-related health challenges.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates veteran diversion program and expands military trauma as sentencing mitigator, reducing incarceration via treatment instead of prosecution for eligible veterans.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates treatment programs for veterans with military-related mental health conditions (PTSD, substance use), diverting from criminal prosecution to address healthcare needs.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes veteran diversion program for military-connected health conditions, offering treatment instead of prosecution and expanding sentencing considerations for military trauma.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Substance Abuse Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2506: Establishing the addiction counselor apprentice license and setting fees for such license.

HB 2506 creates a new "addiction counselor apprentice license" in Kansas to help individuals gain entry into the field before obtaining full licensure. This license directly affects aspiring addiction counselors who have a bachelor's degree and specific coursework in substance use disorders but lack the full supervised experience required for full licensure. The bill establishes requirements including a bachelor's degree from an approved program, substance use disorder coursework, and supervised work experience, while setting fees for this new license tier. It amends existing Kansas law (K.S.A. 65-6610 and 65-6618) to add this apprentice category to the current licensing structure for addiction counselors.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates pathway for addiction counselors, expanding mental health workforce access and improving patient access to substance use disorder services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Substance Abuse

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2159: Exempting law enforcement agencies who do not provide emergency opioid antagonistspursuant to the statewide protocol from the requirement to procure a physician medical director.

HB 2159 creates a $4 million annual grant fund to help law enforcement agencies purchase emergency opioid antagonists (like naloxone) for overdose response. It removes law enforcement agencies from the state's statewide opioid antagonist protocol, exempting them from requirements such as needing a physician medical director for their program. The bill also provides legal immunity for officers who administer these drugs during emergencies. Priority for the grants will go to small agencies that have adopted policies requiring opioid antagonist use.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides $4M grants for naloxone procurement and legal immunity for officers administering it during overdoses, enhancing law enforcement's emergency response capacity within criminal justice framework.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates $4M grant fund for naloxone access, removes bureaucratic barriers for overdose response, directly advancing public health emergency care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2364: Prohibiting certain health insurers from requiring cost-sharing for nonopioid prescription drugs or providing less favorable coverage for such drug than that for opioid or narcotic prescription drugs for the treatment of pain.

HB 2364 requires health insurers (including Medicaid, CHIP, and state employee plans) to provide equal coverage for FDA-approved nonopioid pain medications as for opioid or narcotic drugs. Specifically, insurers cannot deny coverage for nonopioid drugs in favor of opioids, force patients to try opioids first, or impose higher out-of-pocket costs (like copays or stricter prior authorization) on nonopioid drugs compared to opioids. The bill ensures nonopioid pain medications are not disadvantaged in formulary tiers or coverage rules. It directly affects patients prescribed nonopioid pain treatments and insurers managing drug coverage. The law takes effect upon publication in the statute book.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires equal coverage for nonopioid pain medications vs opioids, preventing higher costs or barriers, expanding patient access to alternative pain treatments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

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