The Chair opened the informational hearing on HB2742. The bill is considered dead since it is past turnaround and cannot be worked, but she wanted the committee to learn about CARE exams (Child Abuse Review and Evaluation exams). The bill was the basis for the hearing.

Sarah Goble, Private Citizen, had requested the bill. She spoke of her family's experience with a misdiagnosis, the removal of her children from their home, and an inability to get medical records. (Attachment 1) (Attachment 2) Ms. Goble stood for questions from the committee.

Tanya Keys, Deputy Secretary, Department for Children and Families (DCF), spoke about the process for CARE referrals and reviews. DCF has two primary responsibilities with CARE: to make the referral and to engage with the family with resources based on recommendations from the Medical Resource Center (MRC). (Attachment 3) Ms. Keys stood for questions from the committee.

Sara Hortenstine, Division Chief, Youth Services Division, State Child Death Review Board, Office of the Attorney General, spoke of Adrian's Law and CARE as the most  effective tools to prevent child abuse deaths. The network is a model for other states. Ms. Hortenstine also gave two examples of deaths that could have been prevented. (Attachment 4) Ms. Hortenstine stood for questions from the committee. 

Kerri Weeks, MD, FAAP,  and Emily Killough, MD, FAAP, Child Abuse Pediatricians, Kansas CARE Network, submitted joint testimony and spoke of the process and their experience. Dr. Weeks and Dr. Killough are two of three doctors making up the MRC in Kansas.  (Attachment 5)  Dr. Weeks said she had four roles: identifying the injuries, looking at past history, matching injuries with the history, and putting medical language in plain English so families understand what is happening. Mandated reporting is separate from the CARE program. Diagnosis of physical abuse goes down when a child abuse expert is involved and can explain a medical condition. Dr. Weeks stood for questions from the committee.

Dr. Killough spoke of the need for DCF specialists to have evidence-based medical information from medical providers. Child abuse pediatricians are less likely to diagnose abuse than an emergency room doctor who does not have the additional education and training. Children are referred to the MRC because someone else had a concern and a report to DCF had been made. Mandated reporting is not the same as the CARE program. Her medical opinion is not a legal determination. No rule prevents someone from getting a second opinion. Dr. Killough stood for questions from the committee.

Andrea Verbanic, Private Citizen, submitted written-only testimony. (Attachment 6) 

Bryan and Michelle Adams, Private Citizens, submitted written-only testimony. (Attachment 7)

Jessie Pringle, Assistant Revisor, Office of Revisor of Statutes, provided a memorandum and reviewed the legislative history of CARE and the terminology used. (Attachment 8) 

The Chair closed the informational hearing on HB2742.

The Chair adjourned the meeting at 3:10 p.m.

After the meeting adjourned, the Chair accepted late written-only testimony from  Ed Klumpp, Legislative Liaison, Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, Kansas Sheriffs Association, and Kansas Peace Officers Association. (Attachment 9)