TOPEKA (KSNT) – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has signed off on several new laws, including exceptions for people who’ve lost their driving privileges, requiring parental consent for health treatments in schools and requiring law enforcement to issue purple alerts when disabled adults go missing.
Kelly is signing off on nine new laws for the Sunflower State on May 10. A full list of these bills can be found below:
Provides restricted driving privileges for some individuals who fail to comply with a traffic citation and authorizes some people with revoked driving privileges to be eligible for restricted driving privileges, according to language in the bill. It also allows for some individuals to drive to and from dropping off or picking up children from school or child care, to and from buying groceries or fuel and to and from religious worship.
“This bill puts a stop to the cycle of hardship that Kansans face when their drivers license is suspended, and they are subsequently unable to pay off the debt that accumulates,” Kelly said. “This piece of legislation brings necessary reform to our court system, so Kansans can obtain a restricted license, allowing them to get to their jobs as they work to pay off their traffic fines.”
Prohibits a healthcare provider from administering medication, diagnostic tests or conducting ongoing behavioral health treatments to a minor in a school facility without parental consent, according to the legislature. It also enacts the No Patient Left Alone Act which requires medical care facilities to allow in-person visitation under certain circumstances.
Allows juvenile offenders in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) to leave the juvenile correctional facility for some programming and educational opportunities when approved by the secretary of the KDOC.
Requires approval of livestock brand applications by the animal health commissioner, increases the maximum amount for brand registration and renewal fees and prohibits entering or remaining on and knowingly making false statements to access animal facilities and field crop production areas, according to language in the bill.
Creates the Arkansas City Area Public Library District Act and the Udall Area Public Library District Act. This bill also requires an election for the creation of these districts and authorizes unified school districts No. 470 and 463 to levy a tax on behalf of these library districts.
Provides the 1st Infantry Division and the armed services occupation medal distinctive license plates, according to the legislature. It also modifies the definition of "veteran" and "disabled veteran" to clarify the discharge status a member of the armed forces must receive to be eligible for certain benefits in Kansas.
Makes some changes to the appointment authority of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission, according to the Office of the Governor.
Establishes the Kansas purple alert plan to provide public notice of missing people 18-years-old and older who have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability, according to language in the bill.
Prohibits the state fire marshal from wearing or operating a body camera during an on-site inspection at a licensed facility and transfers authority for certification of continuing care retirement communities to the Kansas department for aging and disability services.
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