May 20, 2010
Primary seat belt law passes: Kansas will soon have a primary seat belt law. The Kansas Senate and House voted in favor of a bill that will allow law enforcement officers in Kansas to stop and ticket drivers and front seat passengers who are not wearing safety belts, even if the officers do not observe another traffic or vehicle equipment violation. The bill is on its way to the Governor's desk for his signature. |
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Texting while driving ban passes: The Kansas Legislature also passed a bill banning texting while driving for all individuals, with the only exception being for emergency personnel and voice-activated devices. Warnings will be issued prior to January 1, 2011; after that, violators may be cited with a ticket for $60. |
State legislators sent bills to be signed by the Governor that restricted smoking in public places, established a primary seat belt law and raised the sales tax by 1 cent. The increase in sales tax will allow the state to protect the Children’s Initiative Funds from any cuts this year and preserve programs that serve 340,000 children in the state. In addition the final budget leaves the SCHIP program intact. I will summarize the bills that passed the legislature that affect the children of our state.
The new budget will restore the 10% Medicaid cuts that were implemented the first of the year!! This is great news for all of us taking care of Medicaid patients.
HB 2221 was a bill that restricted smoking of tobacco products in public venues. This bill will have the obvious benefit to our children with the reduction of second hand smoke exposure. Smoking will be allowed on casino floors and at certain private clubs but these exemptions should not affect children. Passage of this bill is a major public health victory.
HB 2160 is a compromise bill that started out as SB12 and was known as Kate’s Law. This will require insurances for state employees to cover the costs of autism diagnosis and management. This does not affect all insurers- only those of state employees.
SB 62 will make HIV testing in pregnant women an opt-out rather than the current opt-in requirement. It also addresses the testing of newborns if mothers refuse HIV testing.
HB 2454 was a bill with no opposition that almost didn’t make it. This will allow state employees the ability to collect data concerning infant mortality that statutes currently prevent. This is a key bill that will help the state tackle the problem of high infant mortality rates.
HB 2536 was known as Lexie’s Law. It standardizes and increases the inspection of childcare facilities in the state. This law should make child care in the state much safer.
There were some other bills that either didn’t pass or were modified that also might be of interest.
HB 2448 was a bill that the pharmacists supported that would allow them to provide immunizations to children. This was amended to allow only Influenza vaccines be given to children 6 and older by appropriately trained pharmacists.
HB2574 was an anti-vaccine bill that allowed personal “philosophical” exemptions, specific consent for any preservative and restricted use of Thimerosal. This bill never even had a hearing.
Kansas Statehouse Update - 3/12/2010
From the AAP - The New Health Reform Law:
What It Means For Children and Pediatricians - 4/4/2010
Health Care Reform Reconciliation Package passed by the
U.S. House of Representatives - click here to see how it effects
children and pediatrics - 3/26/2010
AAP "Top 12 Health Reform Questions and Answers"
document for AAP members - 3/35/2010
Healthcare Reform Passes - 3/23/2010
Legislative Alert - 3/15/2010
