Approved: March 13, 2006

Minutes of the House Health and Services Committee

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Morrison at 1:30 P.M. on March 9, 2006, in Room 526-S of the Capitol.

All members were present except Representatives Kelley, Bethell, Watkins, and Landwehr, all of whom were excused.

 Committee staff present:

Melissa Calderwood, Kansas Legislative Research Department
Mary Galligan, Kansas Legislative Research Department
Renae Jefferies, Revisor of Statutes= Office
Gary Deeter, Committee Secretary

Conferees appearing before the committee:
None 

Others attending:
See attached list (not available on electronic copy).


The minutes for March 2 and March 6, 2006, were approved.

Staff Mary Galligan provided a briefing on HB 2977.   She said the bill introduces new law to require the  state fire marshal to provide joint opportunities for training in fire prevention for all providers of health care or mental health care who desire to participate.  She referenced the Kansas Fire Prevention Code. (Attachment 1)

Regarding SB 217, which had been scheduled for a hearing, she said the content of the bill was amended into another bill during the 2005 session, passed by the legislature, and signed by the Governor.

The Chairman commented that, with the end of session approaching and with the knowledge that the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee has more bills than it can process, the House Health and Human Services Committee can prioritize what House bills to consider.  The Chair appointed a sub-committee to accommodate the various interests on HB 2820, which had a hearing on 3-1; he asked the sub-committee (Representatives Don Hill (chair), Willa DeCastro, and Tom Holland) to report back to the full committee as soon as possible.    

A motion was made, seconded, and passed to recommend the substitute bill for HB 2396, which had a hearing on 3-6, as favorable for passage.

A motion was made and seconded to recommend HB 2813
, which had a hearing on 3-2, as favorable for passage.  During discussion, a member said the bill would facilitate graduate nurses moving into careers and was non-controversial except for limited concern by some graduate nurses.   The motion passed.  Representative DeCastro volunteered to carry the bill.

Regarding HB 2852 and HB 2853, which had hearings on 3-2, a member commented that the Kansas State Nurses Association expressed strong concerns against using arrest records, juvenile records, and expungements as a part of background checks.  The Revisor noted that, if the bill is worked, some technical amendments need to be made to address authorization for a fee fund and processing of funds.  (Attachment 2 and Attachment 3)  The Chair appointed a sub-committee to deal with the issues:  Representatives Peggy Mast (chair), Sue Storm, and Pat Colloton.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:002 p.m.  The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 13, 2006.