Governor Colyer Signs Eleven Bills into Law

Topeka – Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. has signed the following bills into law:

On Friday, May 11:

• Senate Bill No. 56: Creates the Kansas Cybersecurity Act.

On Saturday, May 12:

• Senate Sub for House Bill No. 2028: Establishes the Kansas Telemedicine Act.

On Monday, May 14:

• House Bill No. 2470: Permits the sale of beer in sealable and refillable containers as well as the operation of self-serve automated taps; modernizes additional alcohol regulations.
• House Sub for Senate Bill No. 179: Creates juvenile crisis intervention centers; amends Kansas code for care of children and newborn infant protection act; amends powers and duties of the DCF Secretary.
• Senate Bill No. 199: Amends bond requirements for civil court appeals.
• Senate Bill No. 282: Updates substance classification in the uniform controlled substances act.
• Senate Bill No. 288: Repeals prohibition on Saturday process service.
• House Sub for Senate Bill No. 374: Changes administrative procedures and regulations relating to driving under the influence.
• Senate Bill No. 461: Reconciles amendments to statutes.
• House Bill No. 2479: Amends criminal procedure.
• House Bill No. 2488: Prohibits the use of automated sales suppression devices.

The Governor has now signed 107 bills into law this session. By law, the Kansas governor has 10 calendar days to sign bills into law, veto bills or allow bills to become law without his signature.

Governor Jeff Colyer Issues Statement Regarding First 100 Days in Office

“When I became Governor 100 days ago I laid out some very clear goals centered around reform, jobs, and education. I knew that there would be challenges along the way, but the importance of the task and the benefit that could be provided to Kansans made overcoming those challenges worth the effort. In my first 100 days I have assembled a team that is dedicated to making our state government more transparent and efficient, and making Kansas a place that our children see their future. We come into work every day focused on moving Kansas forward, and like I promised in my inaugural address we are keeping surgeons hours working tirelessly for the people. We have seen the creation of new jobs and an influx of new investments by businesses across our state. We have put out the message that Kansas is open for business and companies have listened. We have kept our schools open and for the first time ever we are asking to see measurable results attached to our investment. And we have done all of this while still keeping the promise to not raise taxes. However, the work is not finished yet. We cannot settle and we cannot go backwards. We are going to keep up the momentum of these first 100 days as we continue to grow our state for the future. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your support both now and as we move forward, and I would like to highlight just a few of the things we have been working on to create a brighter future here in Kansas.”

1. Called for Pro-life constitutional amendment if Kansas Supreme Court overrules abortion laws
2. Took Kansas case preventing taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood to the US Supreme Court
3. Signed legislation to increase K-12 education investment by $535 million over next five years without requiring a tax increase
4. Confirmed new Secretary of DCF
5. Initiated top-to-bottom review of DCF
6. Replaced leadership team and made other necessary staff changes at DCF
7. Secured additional funding to locate missing foster kids
8. Secured additional funding for emergency crisis beds which will help with the problem of foster kids sleeping in offices
9. Launched Child Support Evaders website, which has already had success
10. When drafting error existed in school funding bill, signed new bipartisan bill to fix it without controversy
11. Required outcomes and accountability for schools
12. Met with education leaders from all over state and conducted multiple tours of KS schools to speak with educators
13. Encouraged schools to transform themselves with the Kansans Can model
14. Kansas will provide free ACT tests for every Kansas student
15. Signed legislation to increase mental health funding for schools
16. Increased funding for students with disabilities
17. Called for higher pay for Kansas teachers
18. Created Governors Education Council
19. Appointed Diane DeBacker as Director of Business and Education Innovation to sharpen our relationship between workforce development and education
20. Signed new task force to help school-children with dyslexia
21. Encouraged more transparency by allowing Kansans to make free KORA requests
22. Signed transparency EO requiring Cabinet agencies to develop and publish outcomes
23. Signed transparency bill requiring DCF to report certain info after child deaths
24. Signed transparency bill regarding police body cam videos
25. Directed state agencies to be as transparent as possible
26. Required mandatory annual sexual harassment prevention training for state employees
27. Successfully advocated for electric utilities to return millions to consumers
28. Successfully advocated for natural gas utilities to return millions to consumers
29. Issued executive order to Ban the Box, giving ex-offenders a chance to become productive members of society
30. Signed bill into law increasing penalties for repeat DUI offenders.
31. Signed bill allowing for the growing of industrial hemp (with no THC) as new crop
32. Fought to keep sorghum markets open in China
33. After years of declines, on May 4 Standard and Poor’s upgraded the credit outlook for Kansas
34. Appointed Tracey Mann as 50^thLt. Governor.
35. Created a Chief Operating Officer to drive efficiency
36. Named a new Budget/Chief Financial Officer
37. Governor and Lt. Governor have visited dozens of Kansas communities in every corner of the state
38. Confirmed new Secretary of KDHE
39. Overhauled Governor’s office with new policy and communications teams
40. Met with President Trump and Vice President Pence in Washington
41. Secured Kansas’ selection as site for UAV Pilot program
42. Asked Attorney General to join Texas litigation on DACA
43. Began process of Re-procurement for Kancare contracts
44. Requested CMS to approve work requirements for healthy adults on Medicaid
45. Signed bill to provide full tuition for Kansas National Guardsmen
46. Deployed 800 Kansas Army Guard to the Middle East. Had opportunity to shake every soldier’s hand before they departed.
47. Issued disaster declarations on multiple occasions and deployed Blackhawk teams to successfully combat more than 200 wildfires across Kansas.
48. Refreshed state agencies with many new executives and senior level management
49. Secured additional money for road construction
50. Created new Task Force to recommend new road programs
51. Appointed new Commissioner to KCC
52. Appointed new judge for Pittsburg, Kansas
53. Appointed new judge for Topeka, Kansas
54. Successfully advocated for T-Mobile to agree to keep former Sprint HQ here in Kansas
55. Launched My Re-employment program
56. Launched Substance Use Disorder Task Force focusing on opioids and meth
57. Appointed new Chief Medical Officer with specialty in substance abuse
58. Sought waiver to increase the number of substance abuse beds in KS
59. Successfully responded to measles outbreak
60. Advocated for Kansas’ interests in NAFTA renegotiations with Canadian Ambassador
61. Launched new statewide broadband initiative
62. Worked with Attorney General Schmidt on combatting human trafficking
63. Attended the installation of new KU Chancellor
64. Signed Nurse Licensure Compact bill
65. Designated 74 areas across Kansas as Opportunity Zones to encourage development in low-income communities
66. Broke ground on new Lansing Correctional Facility
67. Signed new organ transplant bill
68. Signed bill to encourage Poultry producer investments
69. Launched website to post notice of all open state-government meetings
70. Launched iKan app to allow Kansans to renew tags on cell phone
71. Increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for rural hospitals
72. Increased reimbursement rates for nursing homes
73. Increased funding for Meals on Wheels program
74. New program for beef traceability
75. Supported programs for water conservation especially Ogallala aquifer
76. Represented Kansas at the viewing of the late Billy Graham in the capitol rotunda in Washington.
77. Signed Anti-swatting Bill into law
78. Signed bill to help domestic violence victims maintain cell service
79. Signed legislation providing civil immunity to citizens who damage property while saving pets and children locked in a hot vehicle.
80. Hosted dinner at Cedar Crest to meet foster kids and families and hear their concerns
81. Established the Governor’s Community Service Award with Kansas Volunteer Commission to honor service-minded HS students
82. Honored Governor’s Scholars who graduated in the top 1% of their class
83. Held a high-tech job fair for those who lost employment due to layoffs
84. Signed legislation authorizing new Eisenhower statue on capitol grounds
85. Worked with Trump Administration advocating for Kansas interest in NAFTA renegotiations
86. Spoke before informal hearing in Washington on the humanitarian crisis in Syria
87. Signed legislation banning the possession of firearms by people convicted of domestic abuse.
88. Testified before an informal committee in Washington on the opioid crisis
89. Spoke at the Invest in America Summit on ways the U.S. can secure foreign investment.
90. Met with Deputy U.S Transportation Secretary Rosen to discuss President Donald J. Trump’s $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan
91. Met with Secretary Alexander Acosta to discuss how we can improve and innovate in our workforce development efforts in Kansas.
92. Met with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke about water issues that are crucial to Kansas, especially our Ogallala aquifer.
93. Met with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and discussed how the agency can be a collaborative partner with Kansas agriculture, energy, and business.
94. Met with Secretary Alex Azar and Administrator Verma to discuss pertinent healthcare issues in Kansas.
95. Met with Secretary Carson to discuss affordable housing issues in Kansas
96. Took a “Get to Know Your Governor Tour” across Kansas
97. Addressed Kansas Right to Life at Pro-life Banquet
98. Met with both Republican and Democratic leadership on first full day as governor,
99. Met with Israeli Minister of Agriculture to discuss water conservation.
100. Spoke with consul generals of China, Mexico, Pakistan, and Bangladesh to strengthen trade ties with Kansas.

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Kansas Aims to Save Lives with “Click it. Or ticket.” Enforcement

State, local police target unbuckled travelers

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas ranks towards the bottom one-third in seat belt usage among all 50 states. State and local law enforcement are working to improve this ranking by stepping up enforcement to crack down on motorists who aren’t wearing their seat belts as part of the Click it. Or ticket. seat belt enforcement campaign.

More than 150 law enforcement agencies across Kansas will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt enforcement as part of the national campaign that runs from May 21 through June 3, concurrent with one of the busiest travel and holiday weekends of the year.

“The Click it. Or ticket. campaign is about saving lives. We would be grateful if every occupant we observed was wearing their seat belt” said Ben Gardner, Kansas Highway Patrol Technical Trooper. “Our increased enforcement around Memorial Day serves as a reminder that wearing a seat belt is the easiest thing you can do to save your life.”

In 2017, nearly half of the 359 deaths from crashes in Kansas were not buckled. Young adults are dying at disproportionate rates because they are not wearing their seatbelts in Kansas. In Kansas, 56 percent of 18-to-34-year old occupants killed in crashes were not wearing their seat belts in 2017. Male pick-up truck drivers between the ages of 21-34 and drivers in rural areas are among the top unrestrained fatalities.

“Seat belts save lives every day. But they only save lives when they are used and there are still many people in Kansas who don’t buckle up,” said Chris Bortz, KDOT Traffic Safety Program Manager. “Our goal is 100 percent compliance. It doesn’t matter where you go, drivers need to buckle up for every ride, every time because a deadly crash can happen to anyone.”

In 2017, Kansas seat belt usage was 82 percent, below the national average of 90.1 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. From 2014 to 2016, seat belts saved nearly 41,500 lives across the country.

CHIP recipients gain greater access to mental health and substance use services

TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Secretary Jeff Andersen is pleased to announce the State of Kansas has received federal approval to strengthen access to mental health and substance use services for participants of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved KDHE’s CHIP Parity State Plan Amendment, which requires that mental health and substance use disorder treatments be considered equally with medical and surgical benefits. Kansas is the third state in the country to receive approval for this amendment.

“This Parity Amendment ensures that mental health and substance use disorders are treated no differently than other medical disorders by Medicaid and larger insurance plans,” said KDHE Chief Medical Officer Dr. Greg Lakin. “It provides protection to patients with these types of diagnoses, where, historically, they were often treated differently.”

The amendment is part of the mental health regulations put into effect by CMS on Oct. 1, 2017. CHIP provides health care coverage for low-income children living in families with incomes that exceed Medicaid limits. Within CHIP, states are awarded yearly allotments. Kansas provides low-cost health insurance coverage to children who are under the age of 19, do not qualify for Medicaid, have family incomes under 232 percent of the federal poverty level, and are not eligible for State employee health insurance and are not covered by private health insurance.

“KDHE worked quickly with CMS to get this amendment approved for CHIP recipients,” said KDHE Medicaid Director Jon Hamdorf. “This is just one of our efforts to expand access to vital services for low-income Kansans.”

Gov. Jeff Colyer Signs Number of Transparency Bills into Law

Includes DCF Transparency Bill and Police Body Cam Legislation

TOPEKA – Governor Jeff Colyer today signed three transparency bills and issued an executive order aimed at increasing government transparency and accountability. By signing House Substitute for SB 336, Senate Substitute for Senate Substitute for HB 2386, HB 2642 and issuing Executive Order 18-13, Colyer seeks to build on a number of transparency bills and executive orders put into law since he took over as governor in January.

“Transparency has been and will continue to be a priority for my administration,” said Gov. Colyer. “These bills, coupled with Executive Order 18-13 are important to me and to Kansans across the state. I appreciate the legislature for passing these critical measures and I look forward to continued work to increase government transparency and accountability for the people we serve.”

The first measure Gov. Colyer signed, House Substitute for Senate Bill 336 amends the statute governing access to information pertaining to children in need of care and child fatalities. With the signing of this law, the Secretary of the Department for Children and Families may now release the age and sex of the child, date of the fatality, and a summary of any previous reports of abuse or neglect involving the child in addition to any DCF recommended services provided to the child.

“This legislation is the cornerstone of the many things we have done to be more open and transparent to the public,” said Gina Meier-Hummel, DCF Secretary. “This measure strikes the correct balance between being sensitive to the need for privacy for families and ensuring that we are being transparent and getting the appropriate information out to the public.”

The second component of House Substitute for Senate Bill 336 changes the disclosure of audio or video recordings made and retained by law enforcement using a body camera or a vehicle camera. Under the previous law, only certain individuals were able to gain access to these recordings.

SB 336 expands the list of people who can request access to the footage to include a spouse, adult child, or parent of the deceased. This bill also adds a provision requiring the agency to allow the access to recordings within 20 days after the request is made.

Kansas Attorney Michael Kuckelman, whose clients struggled under the old law to obtain footage after losing a family member, spoke positively about the bill.

“The important thing about this audio and video is that it helps both families and law enforcement,” said Kuckelman, “There are times where law enforcement is falsely accused and this will demonstrate to the public if there’s a false accusation. If on the other hand, there is wrong doing, this provides an opportunity for a family to bring that to light and make certain that the public knows what is going on in their community.”

Governor Colyer also signed the Senate Substitute for Senate Substitute HB 2386, which requires agencies processing applications for employment that include a license, certification, or registration to list not just the qualifications, but also the specific civil and criminal records that would disqualify an applicant from receiving that license, certification, or registration. Additionally, if an individual has a misdemeanor record that would disqualify them, but has not been convicted of another crime five years preceding the application for licensure, the record cannot be used to disqualify the candidate at the end of the five-year period following the satisfied sentence.

This bill is coupled with executive order 18-13, which takes the bill a step further, by requiring agencies to post offenses that would disqualify a potential applicant prominently on the agency website.

“Executive order 18-13 allows individuals to know what the rules are without having to go searching for it in the fine print,” said Gov. Jeff Colyer.

The governor also signed HB 2642, which clarifies and strengthens campaign and election laws, while also updating the penalties for several violations.

“Some candidates were avoiding campaign finance reports eight days before the election because the penalty was low,” said Rep. Keith Esau. “This bill is an important step towards fixing our campaign finance laws.”

Governor Jeff Colyer Signs School Finance Bill Fix 

OLATHE- Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. today signed House Substitute for Senate Bill 61 during a ceremony at the central office of the Olathe School District. This bill was intended to fix an error made in the school finance bill that the Governor signed last month in Topeka.

“I’m very happy that the House and Senate were able to come together and fix the mistake in the previous legislation,” said the Governor. “This bill gets more money in the classroom and adds accountability measures without raising taxes on hardworking Kansas families and I’m happy to sign it.”

Taylor Forrest assumes a leadership role in DCF communications

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel is pleased to announce that Public Information Officer Taylor Forrest has been promoted to Communications Director, effective Monday, May 7. Forrest replaces Theresa Freed, who was named Deputy Secretary of Public Affairs for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

“I would like to thank Theresa for the hard work, leadership, and dedication that she has demonstrated at DCF the last five years. I wish her the very best of luck at our sister agency,” said Secretary Meier-Hummel. “I have full faith that Taylor will pick up where Theresa left off and engage the public purposefully to share the important work of our agency.”

Forrest has served as the public information officer for DCF since June 2017. She has a bachelor’s degree in convergent journalism from Southwestern College. Previously, she interned for Senator Jerry Moran and former Congressman, now Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.

Governor Colyer Responds to CMS Decision on Lifetime Caps

TOPEKA- On Monday, Governor Colyer and the State Medicaid Director received a letter from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (“CMS”) announcing they would not approve lifetime caps.

Gov. Colyer issued the following statement:

“As we indicated during the last Bob Bethell KanCare Oversight Committee meeting on April 23, Kansas is no longer pursuing a lifetime limit provision in its 1115 waiver.

“The decision to remove lifetime caps was made after a series of discussions with CMS in which they indicated they would be unable to approve the measure.

“While we will not be moving forward with lifetime caps, we are pleased that the Administration has been supportive of our efforts to include a work requirement in the 1115 waiver. This important provision will help improve outcomes and ensure that Kansans are empowered to achieve self-sufficiency.”