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Minutes for HB2034 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare

Short Title

Requiring a referral of an alleged victim of child abuse or neglect for an examination as part of an investigation, creating a program in the department of health and environment to provide training and payment for such examinations.

Minutes Content for Wed, Mar 8, 2023

Jenna Moyer gave an overview of HB2034.

Ed Klumpp testified as a proponent stating that the associations he represents support HB2034 for creating standards for additional physical examinations of child abuse and neglect victims. These cases must be investigated from all angles. Accurate facts must be presented to the prosecutor and ultimately to a court. The damage that can be done to a family, including the child, can be immense if a case is improperly classified as abuse or neglect when it is not. (Attachment 2)

Dr. Emily Killough and Dr. Jennifer Hansen gave proponent testimony stating that they support HB2034 which creates the CARE Provider Network. Since July, regular meetings have taken place with key stakeholders including the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Department for Children and Families and the Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics to move the CARE program forward and provide the best possible follow up for child physical abuse and neglect reports.  Accomplishments since July 1, 2022 include: 1) There are now 28 trained CARE providers in 14 Kansas communities; 2) KDHE has contracted with KU-Center for Public Partnerships and Research to customize the IRIS database and referral system which will be used to manage the chain of information between providers and agencies in a secure and efficient manner and 3) KDHE has a payment system in place for CARE exams performed by CARE providers and for the triage system. (Attachment 3)

They took questions from committee members.

Proponent, written only testimony was submitted by:

Deanne Dinkel, Kansas Department for Children and Families (Attachment 4)

Alyson Dalrymple, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (Attachment 5)

Rachel Marsh, Children's Alliance of Kansas (Attachment 6)

Chairperson Gossage closed the hearing on HB2034.

Chairperson Gossage adjourned the meeting at 9:15 a.m. The next scheduled meeting is March 9, 2023.