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 2308 creates tax incentives to attract businesses in aviation, aircraft assembly, electric/hydrogen vehicle manufacturing, and related industries to Kansas. It directly affects companies that commit to creating at least 250 new jobs and meeting specific capital investment thresholds. Key provisions include a refundable tax credit for qualifying investments, retention of a portion of payroll taxes, reimbursement for employee training costs, and a sales tax exemption for construction and equipment. These benefits replace standard tax obligations for eligible projects meeting the job and investment requirements.
SB 120, the Kansas Municipal Employee Whistleblower Act, protects employees of cities, counties, school districts, and their departments from retaliation when reporting violations of law, unsafe conditions, or mismanagement of public funds. The law prohibits supervisors from taking disciplinary action - such as dismissal, demotion, or transfer - for employees who disclose unlawful conduct, public safety dangers, or misappropriated funds to any entity, including legislators or auditors. Employees facing retaliation can sue within 90 days for damages and attorney fees, though the law excludes false, reckless, or confidential disclosures. Municipalities must prominently post the law to ensure all employees are aware of their protections.
HB 2129 transfers all Kansas teachers from the KPERS 3 retirement plan (2015) to the KPERS 2 plan (2009). It defines "teacher" broadly to include certified school staff and college instructors, requiring all new teachers hired on or after July 1, 2025, to join KPERS 2 immediately. Existing teachers will automatically transfer to KPERS 2 on January 1, 2026, with all prior contributions and service credits preserved, and guaranteed benefits not reduced. The bill ensures no loss of rights or benefits during the transition, with employer contributions offsetting transfer costs. This affects all K-12 and community college teachers under KPERS.
SB 277 exempts certain qualified tips from Kansas state income tax by adding a new subtraction to the calculation of Kansas adjusted gross income. This directly affects service industry workers, such as restaurant servers and bartenders, who earn tips meeting the bill's specific qualifications. The bill amends K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 79-32,117 to exclude these qualified tips from taxable income, reducing the tax burden for eligible earners. The exemption applies only to tips defined as "qualified" under the bill, not all tips received.
HB 2024 creates a tax credit for Kansas firefighters who pay out-of-pocket for cancer screenings related to their job. It provides up to $250 annually per firefighter for unreimbursed medical expenses related to detecting occupation-related cancer (like lung, prostate, or skin cancer), as defined in the bill. The credit is non-refundable but can be carried forward for up to five years if it exceeds the firefighter’s tax liability in a given year. The total credit amount across all firefighters is capped at $1.5 million annually, with potential adjustments to stay within this limit.
HB 2199 allows Kansas' state employees health care commission to cover prescription-based early egg and peanut allergen introduction supplements for infants under one year in the 2026 health plan. These supplements, prescribed by healthcare providers to reduce food allergy risk, would be included in the state health benefits program if the commission chooses to provide coverage. The bill requires the commission to submit a detailed impact report by March 2027, including utilization data, costs, and recommendations on whether to continue the coverage. This policy directly affects state employees enrolled in the health plan who have infants eligible for these supplements.
SB 228 requires temporary healthcare staffing agencies and digital platforms connecting independent healthcare workers with facilities to register annually with Kansas' Department for Aging and Disability Services. Agencies must verify workers' licenses, conduct background checks, and carry medical malpractice insurance. The department will oversee compliance through unannounced inspections, a public complaint system, and registration reviews. A $2,035 annual registration fee funds a dedicated regulation fund to support this oversight.
HB 2407 amends Kansas' anti-discrimination law to add sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and veteran status as protected characteristics in employment, public accommodations, and housing. It directly affects employers, housing providers, and businesses covered by the Kansas Act Against Discrimination by requiring them to prevent discrimination based on these new categories. The bill updates key sections of the law (like K.S.A. 44-1001) to explicitly include these protected classes alongside existing ones like race and religion. This creates concrete legal protections for individuals facing discrimination due to these specific identities or status.
HB 2339 creates two key programs to support adult care homes in Kansas. First, it establishes scholarships for part-time nursing students and sets minimum education requirements for nursing school instructors to strengthen the workforce. Second, it creates the intergenerational child care program, authorizing grants of up to $20,000 per year to adult care homes that offer child care services, to cover start-up or operational costs. The grants, administered by the Secretary of Health and Environment through a new fund, require proposals demonstrating community collaboration and must align with the program’s goal of enhancing care environments while addressing child care needs. The bill directly affects adult care homes and nursing education providers.
