Healthcare (Mental Health)

passed · Kansas · Senate Mar 14, 2025

SR 1715: Recognizing March 13, 2025, as Mental Health Advocacy Day at the capitol.

This Senate resolution designates March 13, 2025, as Mental Health Advocacy Day at the Kansas Capitol. The measure formally acknowledges the presence of student groups and mental health organizations visiting the statehouse to promote awareness and discuss wellness programs. By issuing this recognition, the Senate highlights ongoing efforts to reduce stigma and improve access to behavioral health services for Kansans. The resolution does not alter laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to support these advocacy efforts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill designates Mental Health Advocacy Day to promote awareness, reduce stigma, and improve access to behavioral health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Kansas · House Mar 14, 2025

HR 6014: Recognizing March 13, 2025, as Mental Health Advocacy Day at the Capitol.

This Kansas House resolution designates March 13, 2025, as Mental Health Advocacy Day at the state Capitol. The measure formally acknowledges the efforts of youth groups and mental health organizations that plan to visit legislators on that date to promote awareness and support for behavioral health services. By recognizing this specific day, the resolution highlights ongoing state progress in mental health care and encourages continued community involvement in reducing stigma. It does not alter laws or funding but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of advocacy efforts within the legislature.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill designates a day to promote mental health awareness and support services, aligning with indicators for supporting mental health.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Kansas · House Mar 24, 2026

HR 6039: Recognizing and honoring SparkWheel for its outstanding service on Kansas youth and families.

This bill is a House Resolution that formally recognizes and honors SparkWheel, a Kansas-based nonprofit organization, for its work supporting youth and families. It commends the group's leadership, staff, volunteers, and partners for their efforts in providing mentorship, mental health support, and career guidance through partnerships with schools and businesses. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official statement of appreciation for SparkWheel's contributions to the community.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill honors a nonprofit providing mental health support and career guidance to youth and families, aligning with healthcare service indicators.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2678: Enacting the Kansas medical cannabis act to authorize the cultivation, processing, distribution, sale and use of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products.

HB 2678 would establish Kansas' first legal medical cannabis program, allowing licensed businesses to cultivate, process, and sell cannabis products for medical use to qualifying patients. It requires the state to expunge past cannabis-related criminal records and imposes an excise tax on sales, with funds directed to child care, economic development, mental health, low-cost housing, and property tax rebates. The bill creates new licensing systems for cultivators, processors, and dispensaries, while exempting medical cannabis use from certain drug possession laws. It directly affects patients with qualifying medical conditions, licensed cannabis businesses, and the state's criminal justice and social service funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes excise tax on cannabis sales funding child care, mental health, housing, and property tax rebates, directly advancing public service funding through new revenue.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires expungement of past cannabis convictions, reducing barriers for affected individuals and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables medical cannabis access for patients and allocates excise tax revenue to mental health services, directly advancing healthcare access and funding.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs cannabis excise tax revenue to 'low-cost housing' programs, explicitly funding affordable housing initiatives as part of its tax allocation structure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Drug Policy Mental Health Property Development Property Taxes

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 474: Enacting the Kansas short-term, limited duration insurance act; establishing definitions, disclosure, premiums, renewal and underwriting requirements relating thereto and authorizing the commissioner of insurance to adopt rules and regulations to implement and oversee the act.

SB 474 creates a regulatory framework for Kansas short-term health insurance plans, which are temporary policies lasting up to 364 days (max 36 months total) with an annual coverage limit of $2 million. It requires insurers to clearly disclose that these plans do not cover all essential health benefits mandated by the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), including pregnancy care and mental health services, and must provide written notice in bold 12-point type. The bill mandates that short-term plans cover emergency services, hospitalization, ambulatory care, and lab services, while requiring insurers to maintain provider networks meeting federal standards for access to care. Insurers cannot charge higher premiums based on health status, and the Kansas Insurance Commissioner gains authority to enforce these rules through adopted regulations.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareEnables short-term plans excluding ACA benefits like mental health services, requiring disclosure of limited coverage rather than expanding protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2785: Renaming the medication donation program providing for the registration of qualifying centers to accept, administer, supply or dispense certain donated drugs or devices.

HB 2785 renames Kansas' "Utilization of Unused Medications Act" to the "Medication Donation Program" and updates its rules. The bill allows pharmacies, manufacturers, and patients to donate unused drugs to qualifying centers (like indigent clinics, community mental health centers, and pharmacies), which then distribute them to medically indigent Kansas residents who are uninsured or underinsured. Key changes include updated eligibility criteria for donations, new annual reporting requirements for centers (detailing drugs received, patients served, and handling fees), and clarifications that federal Medicaid-funded drugs cannot be part of the program. The program aims to safely redirect unused medications to low-income residents while ensuring centers follow safety standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables donation of unused medications to indigent clinics for uninsured/underinsured residents, directly improving medication access and expanding healthcare coverage for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 479: Authorizing comprehensive wellness programs for the Kansas highway patrol and Kansas bureau of investigation, permitting law enforcement personnel of other state agencies to participate in such programs and making annual transfers from the state highway fund and the state general fund for the purpose of financing the implementation of such programs.

SB 479 authorizes the Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Bureau of Investigation to create wellness programs for their officers and employees, focusing on mental health, physical fitness, relationships, and financial stability. It also allows certified law enforcement personnel from other state agencies to join these programs. The bill requires annual funding transfers: $350,000 from the state highway fund to the Highway Patrol and $150,000 from the state general fund to the KBI, starting July 1, 2026. These funds will directly support implementing the wellness initiatives for affected law enforcement personnel.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $500k annually from existing state funds (highway/general) to fund law enforcement wellness programs, advancing public service funding within budget management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $350k/$150k for mental health-focused wellness programs for law enforcement, directly funding mental health services per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Mental Health

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2681: Establishing the department of corrections peer support fund and transferring moneys from the state general fund to the department of corrections peer support fund.

HB 2681 creates a dedicated fund within the Kansas Department of Corrections to support mental health and wellness programs for corrections officers and staff. It transfers $500,000 from the state general fund starting July 1, 2026, with additional annual funding possible through future appropriations. The fund covers peer support training, crisis intervention services, suicide prevention resources, and related operational costs, directly benefiting corrections employees. Annual reports on fund usage and program effectiveness must be submitted to the governor and legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTransfers $500k from state general fund to create dedicated peer support program for corrections staff, advancing fiscal allocation for essential employee wellness services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates dedicated fund for corrections staff mental health/wellness programs, directly strengthening corrections operations and staff support within the criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mental health programs for corrections staff via peer support fund, directly supporting mental health services as described in bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Corrections Mental Health

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2639: Changing the name of juvenile crisis intervention centers to juvenile stabilization centers, modifying the intake criteria and treatment provided at such centers and transferring moneys from the evidence-based programs account of the state general fund for use at such centers.

HB 2639 changes the name of "juvenile crisis intervention centers" to "juvenile stabilization centers" and updates who can use these facilities. It modifies intake rules to limit who qualifies for services, removes certain restrictions on center operations, and updates the types of treatment provided. The bill transfers existing state funds from the "evidence-based programs account" to the Department for Children and Families to support these new stabilization services. This directly affects children needing crisis care and the state agencies managing these centers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill updates juvenile stabilization centers, modifies intake/treatment, and transfers funds to support services, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareLimits eligibility for juvenile mental health services via modified intake criteria, restricting access to care while reallocating existing funds without expanding coverage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Mental Health

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2679: Enacting the adult use cannabis regulation act to regulate the cultivation, manufacturing, possession and sale of cannabis in this state.

HB 2679 would establish a legal framework for the regulated sale and use of cannabis by adults 21 and older in Kansas. The bill creates licensing requirements for cannabis businesses (including growers, manufacturers, retailers, and testing facilities), mandates the clearing of past cannabis-related criminal records, and imposes an excise tax on cannabis sales. Revenue from this tax would fund child care, economic development, mental health services, low-cost housing, and property tax rebates through a new "cannabis business regulation fund." The law would replace existing cannabis laws and require businesses to follow specific safety, labeling, and operational standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes excise tax funding child care, mental health, and housing programs per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates clearing past cannabis-related criminal records, a direct criminal justice reform measure to reduce barriers for individuals with prior convictions.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates cannabis tax revenue to fund mental health services, directly advancing healthcare programs per topic description.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates cannabis tax revenue to fund low-cost housing, directly advancing affordable housing programs per its summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Drug Policy Mental Health Property Development Property Taxes

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