Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2249

Introduced
2/4/25  
Refer
2/4/25  
Report Pass
2/14/25  
Engrossed
2/25/25  
Refer
2/26/25  
Report Pass
3/17/25  
Enrolled
4/10/25  

Caption

Requiring the secretary for aging and disability services to grant physical environment waivers for certain rural emergency hospitals to provide skilled nursing facility care and establishing the south central regional mental health hospital.

Impact

The implementation of HB2249 is expected to significantly alter the landscape of healthcare provision in rural Kansas. By allowing rural emergency hospitals to transition certain beds to skilled nursing facility beds, the bill enhances their capacity to provide comprehensive care. Establishing the South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital is also crucial, as it will provide much-needed resources and facilities for mental health treatment, which have traditionally been limited in rural regions. This move could potentially improve access to essential healthcare services for veterans and residents, addressing gaps in the current healthcare system.

Summary

House Bill 2249 addresses healthcare facility regulations, particularly focusing on rural emergency hospitals in Kansas. The bill allows the secretary for aging and disability services to grant waivers to rural emergency hospitals for regulatory requirements related to nursing facility physical environments, enabling them to provide skilled nursing care more flexibly. This change is aimed at helping rural hospitals expand their services to meet local healthcare needs more effectively, especially in underserved communities. Furthermore, the legislation establishes the South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital, indicating a state commitment to enhancing mental health services in that area.

Sentiment

General sentiment around HB2249 appears to be supportive, especially among rural advocates and healthcare providers who view expanded services as a necessary step towards improving local healthcare delivery. There is a recognition that rural hospitals face unique challenges, and the bill is seen as a proactive measure to strengthen their operational capabilities. However, there may also be concerns regarding the possible implications of regulatory waivers on quality standards and patient safety, prompting calls for careful oversight.

Contention

Notable points of contention could arise around the balancing of regulatory flexibility with the need to maintain high standards of care. Critics may argue that while waivers can help rural hospitals operate more efficiently, they could also lead to a potential degradation in care quality if not monitored properly. The establishment of new mental health facilities may also raise questions about funding and resource allocation, with stakeholders keen to ensure that there are adequate provisions for ongoing support and staffing in these facilities.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB42

House Substitute for SB 42 by Committee on Appropriations - Exempting rural emergency hospitals from the hospital provider assessment and establishing residency and other requirements for membership on a hospital board.

KS HB2784

Prohibiting the state fire marshal from wearing or operating a body camera during an on-site inspection at a licensed facility, transferring authority for certification of continuing care retirement communities to the Kansas department for aging and disability services, authorizing the secretary of aging and disability services to grant certain regulation waivers to providers of disability services, adding a definition of day service provider and providing for expanded certification of certified community behavioral health clinics after February 1, 2027.

KS HB2265

Providing for the regulation of supplemental nursing services agencies by the secretary for aging and disability services.

KS SB277

Providing for the regulation of supplemental nursing services agencies by the secretary for aging and disability services.

KS HB2751

Authorizing the Kansas department for aging and disability services to condition or restrict a disability service provider license, granting the secretary authority to grant regulation waivers unrelated to health and safety and authorizing correction orders and civil fines to be appealed to the secretary.

KS HB2749

Requiring medical care facilities and providers to report the reasons for each abortion performed at such facility or by such provider to the secretary of health and environment.

KS HB2742

Requiring the secretary for children and families to reimburse hospitals when a child in custody of the secretary remains at such hospital and is no longer receiving medical services.

KS HB2637

Expanding eligibility for rural emergency hospital licensure to facilities that meet criteria at any point after 2015.

KS SB219

Substitute for SB 219 by Committee on Health and Human Services - Expanding eligibility for rural emergency hospital licensure to facilities that meet criteria between 2015 and 2020.

KS HB2760

Prescribing documentation requirements to determine eligibility for any benefit derived from a service-connected disability, requiring that federal disability determinations for veterans be probative, establishing the Kansas office of veterans services, updating references and corresponding changes relating to the transfer of powers and duties from the Kansas commission on veterans affairs office to the Kansas office of veterans services, updating the veterans claims assistance program to include references to veterans affairs medical centers and cross-accreditation requirements, modifying the definition of veteran and disabled veteran, clarifying disability evaluations for benefits granted to disabled veterans and updating the definition of armed forces to include the space force.

Similar Bills

KS HB2365

Establishing the south central regional mental health hospital.

KS HB2007

Senate Substitute for Substitute for HB 2007 by Committee on Ways and Means - Reconciling multiple amendments to certain statutes.

LA HB341

Amends laws relative to behavioral health and mental health to provide for current practice and appropriate terminology

WV HB4377

To update the involuntary commitment process

KY SB71

AN ACT relating to health services.

KS HB2359

Enacting the uniform adult guardianship and protective proceedings jurisdiction act and the uniform guardianship, conservatorship and other protective arrangements act.

DE SB153

An Act To Amend Titles 12, 14, 16, And 29 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Behavioral Health.

KY HB730

AN ACT relating to medical transports and admissions.