(Feb. 21, 2023) –Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met, chaired by Senator Beverly Gossage (R-Eudora). The committee worked the following bills:

Senate Bill 6 restricts the authority of the secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and local health officers to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious or contagious diseases; repeals the authority of the secretary to quarantine individuals and impose associated penalties.

Senate Bill 5 prohibits the prescribing of drugs intended to cause an abortion using telemedicine and restricts the governor's power during a state of emergency to alter such prohibitions.

An attempt to amend the legislation by adding telehealth language from Senate Bill 246 was proposed by Senator O’Shea (R-Topeka). The language did not get amended. The bill was recommended favorably for passage.

Senate Bill 131 provides an exemption from licensure requirements for certain out-of-state physicians practicing on a limited basis in the state. The committee amended and recommended a substitute bill favorably for passage.

Senate Bill 112 amends the scope of practice for registered nurse anesthetists to allow independent practice within the scope of the licensee's education and qualifications. The bill was amended to ensure no abortion medication can be prescribed by CRNAs and specified they cannot do surgeries.