(Feb. 15, 2023) – Today the House Health and Human Services, chaired by Representative Brenda Landwehr (R-Wichita), held a hearing on House Bill 2390. The legislation establishes the Kansas Overdose Fatality Review Board and excludes tests to detect the presence of fentanyl, ketamine or gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in a substance from the definition of drug paraphernalia.
Proponents appearing before the committee:
- Joan Duwve, MD, Kansas Department of Health and Environment state health officer
- Brandy Harris, private citizen who lost her son to fentanyl
- Libby Davis, private citizen who lost her son to fentanyl
- Kyle Kessler, Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas
- Tara Mays, Kansas Hospital Association
- Anthony Strickland, MD, private citizen
- Janet Williams, private citizen
- Seth Dewey, Kansas Recovery Network
- Aonya Barnett, Safe Streets Wichita
The committee worked House Bill 2390 and amended the oversight membership to require one appointee from the Kansas State Board of Nursing, one appointment submitted by the Kansas Hospital Association, required reporting to the health committees in the legislature annually, and ensured the committee doesn't disclose confidential personal information without criminal penalty. The bill, as amended, was recommended favorably for passage and now goes before the full House.
The committee also completed further amendments on House Bill 2340. The legislation deals with the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board. They also amended House Bill 2288, which enacts the Counseling Compact to provide interstate practice privileges. Both bills were amended and recommended favorably for passage and now go to the House.
The committee is scheduled to meet again next week.