(Feb. 15, 2023) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare committee held hearings on two bills.
Senate Bill 180 – Provides a meaning of biological sex for the purposes of statutory construction.
The committee heard from proponents including:
- Riley Gaines, the Independent Women's Voice
- Jennifer Braceras, Independent Women's Law Center
- Lauren Adams Bone, Women's Liberation Front
The committee heard from opponents including:
- Tammy Quayle, Private Citizen
- Liz Hamor, Center of Daring
- Taryn Jones, Equality Kansas
- Rev. Caroline Dean, Kansas Interfaith Action
- Jennifer Parson, Human Services Professional
- Ellen Bertels, Kansas Legal Services
Senate Bill 5 – Prohibits prescribing drugs intended to cause an abortion using telemedicine and restricts the governor's power during a state of emergency to alter such prohibitions.
Proponents appearing before the committee as proponents were Senator Mark Steffan (R-Hutchinson) and Carol Daunis, Precinct Committeewoman and Bridgett Smith, Insight Women's Center.
Additionally, many submitted written testimonies were included on both bills before the committee today. The committee will meet again tomorrow to hold hearings on Senate Bill 191, establishing requirements for the involuntary discharge or transfer of a resident in an adult residential care facility, and the right to appeal such discharge and Senate Bill 112, amending the scope of practice for registered nurse anesthetists to allow the independent practice.