Governor signs bill increasing funding of child welfare services in Kansas
Aligns state requirements with federal Family First Prevention Services Act

Governor Laura Kelly signed House Bill 2103 today, injecting millions into Kansas programs that strengthen vulnerable children and families. This bill amends the revised Kansas Code for the Care of Children and enacts statutory provisions enabling Kansas to meet the requirements of the federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA).

“In the last few years, nothing has frustrated me more than the callous disregard some agency leaders demonstrated towards our vulnerable children and their families,” Kelly said. “This legislation will help to rebuild the Department for Children and Families and provide critical funding for programs aimed at strengthening families and keeping children safe.”

House Bill 2103 allows for an enhanced federal match rate for certain child welfare system evidence-based prevention services and programs beginning October 1, 2019. The bill defines a qualified residential treatment program (QRTP), establishes notice and hearing requirements when a child is placed in a QRTP, requires certain action a court must take when QRTP placement occurs, and places additional documentation requirements on the court in a permanency hearing involving a child placed in QRTP.

“The Department for Children and Families has already begun to connect with community partners across the state to kick off our Family First initiatives,” said DCF Secretary Laura Howard. “The additional federal funds along with these valued partnerships will allow us to introduce evidence-based practices throughout the state that will keep families together and children safe.”

Further, the bill amends the definition of a secure facility and requires a child in need of care petition to have an attached copy of any existing prevention plan for a child. The bill takes effect upon publication in the Kansas Register.

The governor signed ten additional bills today, bringing the total number of bills signed in the 2019 Legislative Session to 53, with one being vetoed. By law, the Kansas governor has 10 calendar days to sign bills into law, veto bills or allow bills to become law without her signature.

House Bill 2007
Amends requirements for tolled projects of the Kansas Turnpike Authority and the Secretary of Transportation. This was a recommendation of the Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

House Bill 2031
Revises the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) as it pertains to the Kansas Police and Firemen’s Plan (KP&F) and provisions relating to working after retirement, membership eligibility, and the administration of KPERS. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

House Bill 2038
Creates law within the Kansas Probate Code providing for the automatic revocation of certain inheritance rights of a former spouse or former spouse’s relatives upon divorce. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

House Bill 2039
Amends the Charitable Organizations and Solicitations Act to exempt from its registration requirement any charitable organization that is an animal shelter licensed pursuant to the Kansas Pet Animal Act. The bill also creates and amends law related to limited liability companies in the Kansas Revised Limited Liability Company Act, Business Entity Standard Treatment Act, and other statutes. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

House Bill 2087
Amends the definition of “school bus” in the Motor‐Fuel Tax Law to remove a requirement that the vehicle be designed for carrying more than ten passengers and to remove use for the transportation of school personnel. The bill retains in the definition that a school bus be any motor vehicle used by a school district or nonpublic school to transport pupils or students to or from school or to or from school-related functions or activities; the vehicle may be owned and operated by the school district or privately-owned and contracted for, leased, or hired by a school district or nonpublic school. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

House Bill 2177
Amends the Insurance Code to permit life insurance companies that offer fixed index annuities to utilize an alternative methodology when accounting for certain reserves; amends the effective date specified for risk‐based capital instructions; amends registration requirements in the Insurance Holding Company Act related to a filing exemption for enterprise risk  reports; and amends provisions governing fraudulent insurance acts and associated criminal penalty provisions. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

House Bill 2126
Amends law restricting access to motor vehicle records. The bill removes from state law certain purposes for which state motor vehicle records may be released, but also authorizes release for any purpose not listed in Kansas law that is permissible under the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act as it existed on January 1, 2018. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

House Bill 2119
Amends the Pharmacy Act of the State of Kansas to require certain prescription orders be transmitted electronically and to permit a licensed pharmacist to administer a drug by injection in certain situations. The bill also allows a business entity issued a certificate of authorization by the Board of Healing Arts (BOHA) to employ or contract with one or more licensees of BOHA for the purpose of providing professional services for which such licensees hold a valid license issued by BOHA. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Senate Substitute for House Bill 2214

Adds passenger vehicle registration categories and establishes fees for those categories: $100 for all‐electric vehicles and $50 for motor vehicles that are electric hybrid or plug‐in electric hybrid vehicles. This was also a recommendation of the Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force. It will be effective on and after January 1, 2020. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Senate Substitute for House Bill 2225

Increases fees for certain permits authorizing oversize or overweight vehicles to operate on designated routes and requires registration of escort vehicle companies. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Correction: The Armstrong Highway/Gilbertson Bridge bill number is HB 2070, not HB 2040, as published in the April 17 press release.

The week of April 22 the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to start a mill and overlay project on K-39 in Neosho and Bourbon counties. The road work starts at the east K-39/U.S. 59 junction and continues east for 19 miles to the K-39/K-7 junction. Project activity consists of a 1-inch mill, 1½-inch asphalt overlay and placement of a rock edge wedge.

Flaggers and a pilot car will direct one-lane traffic through the work zone. Expect daytime delays of 15 minutes or less. The work should be completed by late June, weather permitting. KDOT awarded the construction contract of $1.2 million to Bettis Asphalt and Construction, Inc., of Topeka, Kan.

Troy Howard, KDOT construction engineer at the Garnett office, reminds drivers to use extra caution and ‘Give ‘Em a Brake’ at the work zone. Persons with questions may contact Howard at (785) 448-5446 or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.

Miller Appointed KDWPT Assistant Secretary

TOPEKA – Mike Miller has been selected to be Assistant Secretary for Wildlife, Fisheries and Boating for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT). He replaces Keith Sexson, who retired last December after more than 50 years with the department. Miller will assume his new duties on Monday, April 22, 2019.

“Mike has been an invaluable member of our team for more than three decades. He has been involved in almost every aspect of the department and has a wealth of knowledge and experience to bring to his new role,” said Brad Loveless, KDWPT Secretary. “He is a great communicator and is well-respected by all who know him. I am looking forward to working closely with him as we grow our programs and serve our constituents.”

“I am humbled and excited to be a part of Secretary Loveless’ vision for KDWPT’s future,” Miller said. “Current Wildlife, Fisheries and Boating staff are as talented and dedicated as any I’ve seen, and I look forward to working with them to carry on the amazing legacies of previous assistant secretaries.”

Miller has worked for KDWPT for more than 35 years. He grew up in Greensburg and graduated from Kansas State University with bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and Graphic Design in 1982. After a short stint with the El Dorado Times newspaper, he was selected to be the wildlife illustrator for the Kansas Fish and Game Commission and Kansas Wildlife magazine.

He went on to serve as the magazine’s associate editor, editor, and his current position of chief of the Information Production Section, overseeing production of the magazine, all hunting and fishing regulation pamphlets, atlases and brochures and social media presence. In addition to his information duties, Miller also served as a special assistant to the Assistant Secretary, managing various special programs and committees, including Pass It On, a hunter recruitment and retention program.

Miller is an avid angler and hunter. He and his wife of 37 years, Lisa, make their home in Pratt where he will continue to work in the KDWPT Pratt Operations Office.

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Ron Kaufman

Director of Information Services

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism

1020 S. Kansas Ave., 2nd Fl

Topeka, KS 66612

785-296-2870

KSOutdoors.com & TravelKS.com

Note my new email address – [email protected]

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the FFY 2019-2022 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.

The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burProgProjMgmt/stip/stip.asp

The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes May 1. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Bureau of Program and Project Management at (785) 296-2252.

This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT Office of Public Affairs, (785) 296-3585 (Voice/Hearing Impaired-711).

Webinar Highlights KCAIC Events and Grant Opportunities

Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission (KCAIC) will conduct a webinar hosted by the Kansas PRIDE program on April 18 from 12 – 1 p.m. Peter Jasso will give an overview of current grant categories, partnership programs, and upcoming events as well as answer questions from participants.

The webinar will also be recorded for those who cannot attend at the initial time.

To join the Zoom Meeting

https://ksu.zoom.us/j/803629794

Dial by your location

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 803 629 794

About Kansas PRIDE program 

The Kansas PRIDE program is a volunteer, grassroots effort to improve the quality of life in local communities. Each Kansas community is unique and shares a common bond: a rich heritage based on self-reliance and community pride. Since 1970, the Kansas PRIDE program has assisted and encouraged communities to prepare for the future by building on their past and forming a vision of the future. The goal of PRIDE is to help maximize community and economic development efforts by encouraging all groups to coordinate and work collaboratively for community betterment.

For more info: https://kansasprideprogram.k-state.edu/

Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner’s Tax Day Event Returns Over $370,000

Topeka—Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner made tax day a little brighter for thousands of Kansans by helping put money back in their pockets. With the help of several broadcast media outlets, the State Treasurer’s Office held an event Monday to bring awareness to the over $350-million in unclaimed property in the State Treasury and encouraging Kansans to get online and see if any of it belongs to them. Over 27,000 people went to kansascash.com to search, and $372,146 was returned to its rightful owners.

“It’s wonderful that we were able to match up so many individuals and businesses with their unclaimed property,” said LaTurner. “This was a very successful event, but there’s still more money to give back. We hope those that found money online will spread the word to family and friends about how quick and easy it is to search for themselves as well.”

Searches for unclaimed property can be done anytime on kansascash.com. Most claims made online can be paid easily via direct deposit. In 2018 a record $26.5-million in unclaimed property was returned to Kansans, and the office is on track to break that record in 2019.

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