(Feb. 13, 2023) – Today, the House Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Representative Brenda Landwehr (R-Wichita), held a hearing on House Bill 2340. The legislation increases the membership of the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board, decreases the years of practice required for reciprocity licensure of certain professions, extends the license period for temporary licenses, establishes new license categories, provides additional continuing education requirements and requires clinical social work supervisors be approved by the board.

Proponents included:

• David Fye and Laura Shaughnessy, Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board
• Kyle Kessler, Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas
• Joe Squillace, PhD, MSW, University of Saint Mary
• Kylee Child, Children's Alliance of Kansas

Those submitting testimony highlighting changes needed to the bill included:

• Becky Fast, National Association of Social Workers – Kansas Chapter
• Kerri Mosinski, Midland Care Connection
• Tim Davis, Ph.D
• Wendy Funk Schrag, Fresenius Medical Care
• Mitchell Skidmore, LMSW
• Monica Kurz, Kansas Suicide Prevention Headquarters

The committee also worked House Bill 2264, enacting the No Patient Left Alone Act to allow in-person visitation to certain patients at hospitals' adult care homes and hospice facilities.

The committee amended the bill to the following:

• Adds a domestic partner and significant other
• A patient care facility may establish visitation policies and procedures
• Allows a patient to refuse in-person visitation or revoke previously granted in-person visitation from any person at any time
• Adds visitors may have in-person visitation revoked if they don't adhere to infection control procedures, including wearing personal protective equipment
• Adds immunity from civil liability for damages for acts taken in compliance with the bill
• Adds nothing in the bill supersedes federal guidance

The bill passed as amended and now goes to the full House floor.