(Feb. 6, 2023) – Today, the House Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Representative Brenda Landwehr (R-Wichita), held a hearing on House Bill 2262. The legislation allows six months of an embalmer apprenticeship to be completed prior to an individual attending a mortuary science program. Rep. Landwehr highlighted a summer task force made this recommendation based on what other states have instituted. The committee recommended the bill favorably for passage.

House Bill 2263 authorizes pharmacy technicians to administer certain vaccines. The provisions extend the allowances that were in place during the COVID-19 response. Proponents included Aaron Dunkel, executive director of the Kansas Pharmacists Association, who testified they saw a lot of increased job satisfaction during the COVID response in being a part of the vaccination teams. Dunkel also suggested an amendment be included specifying the pharmacist be required to be over 18 years of age.

Other conferees included:

Proponents

• Calli Rains, pharmacy technician, serving in Sedgwick and Cowley counties
• Dared Price, GravesDrug, Winfield and Arkansas City
• Alexandra Blasi, Kansas Board of Pharmacy
• Ryan Irsik, Walmart

Neutral

• Kansas Medical Society

After the hearing, the committee amended the legislation assuring the pharmacy technician delivering the vaccine be required to be older than 18 years of age. The committee recommended the bill favorably as amended, and it now goes to the full house for further review.

Also heard today was House Bill 2260, increasing the number of medical student loan agreements that may be provided by the University of Kansas School of Medicine and prohibiting impediments to switching between residency programs.

Proponents included:

• Kyle Kessler, executive director for the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas and member Dr. Will Warren.
• Amy Campbell, Kansas Mental Health Coalition
• Rachelle Colombo, Kansas Medical Society

The committee recommended the bill favorably for passage.

The committee also heard bill introductions dealing with the following topics:

• Board of Cosmetology requirements at medical facilities, on behalf of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
• Drugs and drug overdoses on behalf of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment
• Sickle Cell Disease on behalf of Vertex
• Providing for pricing limitations on insulin and diabetes supplies on behalf of Representative Heather Meyer (D-Overland Park)

The committee is slated to meet Tuesday, Feb. 7, to hold a hearing on House Bill 2264, enacting the No Patient Left Alone Act, allowing in-person visitation to certain patients at hospitals, adult care homes and hospice facilities.