Latest news with #SenateBill193
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kansas eases Narcan regulations to fight opioid crisis
KANSAS — Governor Laura Kelly recently signed a bill into law she says will help combat the opioid epidemic in Kansas. 'If it saves one life then, I think it's a good thing and I think it's the right direction that we need to be going.' Galena interim police chief. Chad Allison, is talking about Senate Bill 193, a bill signed by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. This new law removes a layer of red tape making it easier for law enforcement to provide Narcan or Naloxone during an opioid overdose. 'Usually once somebody calls 911 or asks for help, the officer usually beats everybody else, there.' Previously, agencies had to go through a medical director or licensed pharmacist to obtain Narcan. Now they're able to do that without this requirement. The Kansas Statehouse is slowly changing color, here's why New details released in shooting death of Kansas priest Several southwest Missouri kennels make 'horrible hundred' list 'Our officers do carry it in their, go, in their duty bags, in their vehicles. And most of our officers carry it even when off duty, because you just never know, you know, when you're going to run into a situation where that can be helpful,' said Allison. So if there's an overdose emergency and they are the first on the scene, he says this new change can make a difference as each second matters. 'We're seeing more and more overdose deaths and stuff. And then if it's something that can be prevented, then to me it just makes sense to to equip us and have us ready.' Both law enforcement agencies and pharmacies both say that having Naloxone or Narcan is a life saving tool. 'I think from a health care perspective, it's a great measure for the state to do this. They're just going to be that much more accessible to these people to give them the the immediate treatment that they need,' said Steven Mayberry, 4-States Pharmacy manager. While Narcan works on most overdose cases, there are some drug combinations, like meth mixed with the horse tranquilizer Xzylazine, also known as tranq dope, that Narcan has no effect on. Any new medicines developed for reversing overdose deaths will still need to be approved by a medical professional. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kelly signs popular bill to help law enforcement stock naloxone for opioid overdose cases
Kansas City Democratic Sen. Pat Pettey, left, praised signing by Gov. Laura Kelly of bill helpful to equipping law enforcement officers with medication to treat fentanyl overdoses. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill unanimously approved by the Kansas Legislature repealing a statute inhibiting the ability of law enforcement to obtain emergency medication to reverse the effect of opioid overdoses. The Democratic governor said Senate substitute for Senate Bill 193 would benefit Kansans by doing away with a mandate law enforcement agencies employ a medical director or licensed pharmacist when dealing with naloxone, also known as Narcan, that could be administered to people suffering fentanyl poisoning. The cost of complying with state protocol set in 2017, along with the ongoing health-care workforce shortage, inhibited smaller law enforcement agencies that wanted to outfit personnel with doses of naloxone. Under the new law, lifesaving medication would be available to law enforcement as an over-the-counter item. 'We know that addiction does not discriminate,' Kelly said. 'I'm proud to sign this bipartisan bill into law so that communities of all sizes can implement this commonsense policy and prevent Kansans from feeling the devastating impacts of fatal overdoses.' In 2023, the Legislature approved a bill signed by Kelly that legalized fentanyl test strips to help Kansans avoid opioid overdoses. Kelly signed good-Samaritan legislation last year to extend protection to individuals providing aid during a drug-use medical emergency. The number of overdose deaths in Kansas resulting from opioids, including fentanyl, dropped 17% from 497 fatalities in 2022 to 414 in 2023. The bill signed by Kelly was introduced by former Topeka police chief Ed Klumpp on behalf of the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, Kansas Peace Officers Association and Kansas Sheriffs Association. Sen. Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City, said the bipartisan legislation 'breaks down roadblocks' so officers were more likely to be equipped with naloxone. The reform should have an immediate impact on overdose survival because seconds mean the difference between life and death, said Sen. William Clifford, a Garden City Republican and former emergency medical technician. 'The opioid epidemic has cost thousands of our fellow Kansans their lives. This commonsense fix will empower our first responders throughout our state to save lives,' he said. On Wednesday, Kelly also signed House substitute for Senate Bill 126 to establish a universal newborn screen program administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. With parental consent, Kansas screens newborns for 36 of 38 treatable conditions at no cost. A KDHE representative said there were plans to add the two additional conditions to the screening protocol. The bill also raised the minimum state financial aid to local health departments from $7,000 per year to $12,000 per year. Rep. Brett Fairchild, R-St. John, was the only member of the Legislature to vote against the bill because he objected to a provision increasing the annual assessment on certain hospitals. 'Even though this is a tax that the hospitals impose on themselves, I still view this as technically being a tax increase. When I ran for office, I pledged that I would never vote in favor of a tax increase,' he said. Kelly also signed Senate Bill 199 to authorize sale of fireworks throughout the year and establish procedures for retailers to engage in permanent rather than seasonal sales. She placed into law House Bill 2280 to make certain any person declared a veteran by an act of Congress was likewise considered a veteran under Kansas law. She put a signature to Senate Bill 44, which declared antisemitism contrary to public policy of Kansas. In March, House Republicans blocked an attempt by Democratic Rep. Valdenia Winn of Kansas City to amend the bill to condemn all forms of racism and discrimination. Under House Bill 2313, Kelly's signature meant state computer systems couldn't use artificial intelligence platforms controlled by countries considered foreign adversaries of the United States. In addition, the bill banned medical or research facilities from using genetic technology produced by foreign adversaries. Senate Bill 50 signed by Kelly created uniform interest rates for college scholarships attached to a post-graduation service requirements. She signed Senate Bill 42 to create for law enforcement a real-time online insurance verification system for motor vehicles. Kelly endorsed House Bill 2342 to permit the Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas Department of Labor to initiate criminal history background checks when reviewing final applicants for sensitive positions at those agencies.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Bill allows for interpreters in license road test
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A bill that allows a driver whose native language is not English to use an interpreter during a driving test for a South Dakota license is headed to the state House of Representatives. The House Transportation Committee passed Senate Bill 193 9-3 on Tuesday. The bill had multiple supporters who testified on Tuesday and no opponent testimony, but it did get some discussion in the committee. SB193 has already passed the Senate 33-2. Republican Rep. Phil Jensen was one of three who voted against the bill. 'If you are in America, you need to learn to speak English,' Jensen said. 'If you want to drive you need to learn English and you need to speak English.' In support of SB193, Republican Rep. Brian Mulder said he served in Germany for five years and passed a driver's test. He was allowed to take it in English. A person who doesn't speak English as their first language learns to read road signs, Mulder said. Those road signs are international signs, said David Owen, a lobbyist with the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce , who testified in favor of the bill. Bill supporters said the drivers taking the test must pay for the interpreter and the interpreter cannot provide any advice. The bill also requires interpreters to be approved by the South Dakota Department of Motor Vehicles. Sponsor Democrat Sen. Jamie Smith said he worked with the DMV to address its concerns about the original version of the bill. The importance of the bill to the workforce was also stressed as well as how it would help reduce the number of unlicensed drivers and uninsured drivers in the state, which Smith is good for the economy and all policy holders. David Parsley of Madison said he was supporting a refugee family. Two adults in the family worked outside of Madison and obtaining a driver's license was important to their jobs. Although they may not be fluent in English, they are learning, Parsley said. 'I do think it will put more people into the licensed and insured category,' Republican Rep. Keri Weems said in support of SB193. The importance of insured drivers was also stressed by Republican Rep. Amber Arlint during the discussion of SB193. Committee chairman Republican Rep. Tony Randolph said it seems the state may be making too many accommodations for those whose primary language is not English, yet he said he wasn't going to vote against the bill. He hoped for more discussion on it on the House floor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers eye 12-year limit for mayor, school board and county seats
ST. JOSPEH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — New legislation making its way through the Missouri Senate would establish limits on how long local elected officials can serve in office. If Senate Bill 193 ultimately becomes law, many elected offices, including mayor, school board members and every county officer could see a 12-year cap imposed on total time in the position. The legislation is sponsored by Republican Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville. 'One thing that I've noticed in my time in the Senate is that at the local level, you have this kind of good ol' boy system that really keeps people out and keeping the new, fresh ideas out,' Brattin said. County offices like sheriff, commissioners, prosecuting attorney, treasurer and auditor, among others, would all be subject to the same restriction. Any term of a person elected before Aug. 28, 2025, or periods of less than two years of a person completing the term of another will not be counted if the law takes effect. 'This will still give people ample time to be able to have a real true impact, learn the office and that sort of thing,' Brattin said. 'But at the same time, you know, be able to pass the baton on to somebody else.' The bill would have immediate impacts in St. Joseph as many of the government offices locally do not have a cap on the number of terms an elected official may serve if continually elected by voters, including the mayor, city council, school board and all county officers. Despite that, no St. Joseph mayor has ever served more than eight years and few school board members reach that mark now. On the other hand, multiple county officials over the decades have served for more than 12 years in a single office. 'We've had term limits for over 20 years at the state level of an eight year term,' Brattin said. 'I think we've got to make way and give room for new, fresh ideas and new leadership.' With March 1 marking the final day to file bills this session, Brattin said he looks forward to furthering discussions with fellow lawmakers on the measure, which was referred to the Local Government, Elections and Pensions committee in early February. 'Once it gets moving, I'm sure there'll be some potential squawking about it. But that's part of the legislative process,' he said.
