(March 13, 2026) – Senate Bill 522. The bill enacts the Kansas Medical Freedom Act to prohibit the denial of an individual's access to certain services based on such individual's medical choices.

The committee heard from:

• Proponents:
  • Joni Bellinger shared about her experience being terminated from a medical job due to vaccination status and shared about how she is required to wear a mask due to not getting a flu vaccination.
  • Kaydran Cota shared about wanting to go into the medical field and was accepted to a DO school, and shared that she was interested in clinical sites and vaccine requirements.
  • Debbie Detmer of the Kansas MAHA State Council spoke about government overreach and recommendations on vaccinations and criticized that many pediatricians won't see children if they aren't vaccinated.
  • JoAnn Farb, a microbiologist previously working for a pharmacy company, emphasized that guardrails need to be in place to ensure informed consent and medical autonomy.
  • Connie Newcome, a private citizen, discussed Kansas mandates and employer coercions.
  • Lauren Shiffman, a private citizen, discussed legal ramifications and shared her personal story of vaccinating her children.

Committee members asked about the community's vaccination costs.

• Opponents:
  • Randy Bowman, executive director of the Kansas Association of Local Health, suggested that personal decisions have consequences for others and emphasized the economic impact of the legislation.
  • Rev. Dr. Nor Rose of Interfaith Action cautioned against weakening vaccine compliance and emphasized that vaccinations are a way of caring for others.
  • William Wilk of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce cautioned that this is also government overreach of employers and suggested it would likely increase litigation.
  • Natalie Bright of the Kansas State Council of SHRM suggested the bill goes too far for employers and reminded that the state and federal laws are already in balance for allowing avenues for opt-out provisions.

Committee members asked how local health departments make decisions, whether county commissioners can choose between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, how health departments are connected to the state health department, and how that relationship works with the CDC. They also commented on the increased vaccination recommendations now compared to previous generations and shared stories about how vaccines have helped limit the spread of some diseases. The committee inquired about the employer's responsibility to keep other employees safe and whether the bill excluded private employers, which could affect opposition. Senator Dr. Bill Clifford (R-Garden City) spoke about a recent measles outbreak.

The committee will meet again next week.