(March 24, 2023) – Today, Senator Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Senator Beverly Gossage (R-Eudora) discussed Senate Bill 315 on a motion of Sen. Molly Baumgardner (R-Louisburg). The committee recommended the bill favorably for passage as amended without the provisions related to workforce.

Next, the committee heard House Bill 2313, the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act that provides legal protections for infants who are born alive regardless of the intent of the delivery.

Proponents:

• Jeanne Gawdun, Kansans for Life
• Sarah Zagorski, Abortion Survivor.

The committee saw an amendment to remove infant "be admitted" to the hospital. The amendment was passed and the bill was recommended favorably as amended.

The committee then held a hearing on House Bill 2141, which requires custodial and non-custodial parents to cooperate with child support enforcement programs for food assistance eligibility and disqualifies such parents from food assistance for being delinquent in support payments.

Proponents:

• Steven Greene, Dugan Consulting

Opponents:

• Erin Melton, Kansas Action for Children
• Haley Cottler, Kansas Appleseed
• Marilyn Harp, Citizen Lobbyist
• Rebekah Gaston, Attorney

Sen. Renee Erickson (R-Wichita) offered an amendment to change the title. The committee adopted the amendment and recommended favorably as amended.

Finally, the committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 234. The bill prohibits governmental entities from sharing or transmitting social care information into a closed-loop referral system.

Proponents:

• Steven Greene, FindHelp
• Paul Fassbender, Unite US

Opponents:

• Kelly Davydov, ChildCare Aware of Kansas

The committee did not work the legislation.