Legislation establishes in law a universal newborn screen program within KDHE
TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill unanimously approved by the Kansas Legislature repealing a statute inhibiting the ability of law enforcement to obtain emergency medication to reverse the effect of opioid overdoses.
The Democratic governor said Senate substitute for Senate Bill 193 would benefit Kansans by doing away with a mandate law enforcement agencies employ a medical director or licensed pharmacist when dealing with naloxone, also known as Narcan, that could be administered to people suffering fentanyl poisoning.
The cost of complying with state protocol set in 2017, along with the ongoing health-care workforce shortage, inhibited smaller law enforcement agencies that wanted to outfit personnel with doses of naloxone. Under the new law, lifesaving medication would be available to law enforcement as an over-the-counter item.
“We know that addiction does not discriminate,” Kelly said. “I’m proud to sign this bipartisan bill into law so that communities of all sizes can implement this commonsense policy and prevent Kansans from feeling the devastating impacts of fatal overdoses.”
In 2023, the Legislature approved a bill signed by Kelly that legalized fentanyl test strips to help Kansans avoid opioid overdoses. Kelly signed good-Samaritan legislation last year to extend protection to individuals providing aid during a drug-use medical emergency.
The number of overdose deaths in Kansas resulting from opioids, including fentanyl, dropped 17% from 497 fatalities in 2022 to 414 in 2023.
The bill signed by Kelly was introduced by former Topeka police chief Ed Klumpp on behalf of the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, Kansas Peace Officers Association and Kansas Sheriffs Association.
Sen. Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City, said the bipartisan legislation “breaks down roadblocks” so officers were more likely to be equipped with naloxone.
The reform should have an immediate impact on overdose survival because seconds mean the difference between life and death, said Sen. William Clifford, a Garden City Republican and former emergency medical technician.
“The opioid epidemic has cost thousands of our fellow Kansans their lives. This commonsense fix will empower our first responders throughout our state to save lives,” he said.
Newborn screening
On Wednesday, Kelly also signed House substitute for Senate Bill 126 to establish a universal newborn screen program administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. With parental consent, Kansas screens newborns for 36 of 38 treatable conditions at no cost. A KDHE representative said there were plans to add the two additional conditions to the screening protocol.
The bill also raised the minimum state financial aid to local health departments from $7,000 per year to $12,000 per year.
Rep. Brett Fairchild, R-St. John, was the only member of the Legislature to vote against the bill because he objected to a provision increasing the annual assessment on certain hospitals.
“Even though this is a tax that the hospitals impose on themselves, I still view this as technically being a tax increase. When I ran for office, I pledged that I would never vote in favor of a tax increase,” he said.
Kelly also signed Senate Bill 199 to authorize sale of fireworks throughout the year and establish procedures for retailers to engage in permanent rather than seasonal sales. She placed into law House Bill 2280 to make certain any person declared a veteran by an act of Congress was likewise considered a veteran under Kansas law.
She put a signature to Senate Bill 44, which declared antisemitism contrary to public policy of Kansas. In March, House Republicans blocked an attempt by Democratic Rep. Valdenia Winn of Kansas City to amend the bill to condemn all forms of racism and discrimination.
Under House Bill 2313, Kelly’s signature meant state computer systems couldn’t use artificial intelligence platforms controlled by countries considered foreign adversaries of the United States. In addition, the bill banned medical or research facilities from using genetic technology produced by foreign adversaries.
Senate Bill 50 signed by Kelly created uniform interest rates for college scholarships attached to a post-graduation service requirements. She signed Senate Bill 42 to create for law enforcement a real-time online insurance verification system for motor vehicles.
Kelly endorsed House Bill 2342 to permit the Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas Department of Labor to initiate criminal history background checks when reviewing final applicants for sensitive positions at those agencies.
Kansas Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kansas Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sherman Smith for questions: info@kansasreflector.com. Follow Kansas Reflector on Facebook and Twitter.
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