Chairperson Gossage opened the hearing on SB522. Jenna Moyer, Assistant Revisor, briefed the committee on the bill. Ms. Moyer stood for questions from the committee. (Attachment1)

Chairperson Gossage introduced Joni Bellinger who spoke in favor of the bill. (Attachment2) Ms Bellinger stated the bill protects Kansas citizens by reinforcing constitutional rights, including religious liberty and freedom of conscience. She urged support for the bill.

Chairperson Gossage introduced Kaydran Cota who spoke in favor of the bill. (Attachment3) Ms. Cota stated throughout her life she has worked hard to pursue a career in healthcare but has repeatedly faced barriers due to her religious convictions and sincerely held beliefs. She urged support for the bill. 

Chairperson Gossage introduced Debbie Detmer who spoke in favor of the bill. (Attachment4) She stated our bodies are gifts from God and encouraged the committee to support the bill.

Chairperson Gossage introduced JoAnn Farb (Attachment5) who stated protecting individual rights and bodily autonomy is now the most important function of a just government. She urged support for the bill.

Chairperson Gossage introduced Connie Newcome who spoke in favor of the bill. (Attachment6) She stated the bill does not cost anything and upholds the constitution in principle and practice. She urged the committee support the bill.

Chairperson Gossage introduced Lauren Shiffman who spoke in favor of the bill. (Attachment7) She stated passing this bill would reaffirm that the people of Kansas and not institutions or mandates have the final say over their own bodies and medical decisions.

WRITTEN ONLY PROPONENTS LAST NAMES A-Z (Attachment8) 

Chairperson Gossage introduced Randy Bowman who spoke in opposition to the bill. (Attachment9) Mr. Bowman testified his focus is on how the bill treats medical interventions that protect the broader community during outbreaks. He urged the committee to take no action on the bill.

Chairperson Gossage introduced Natalie Bright who spoke in opposition to the bill. (Attachment10) She stated the bill is over broad and likely to create unintended consequences for Kansas employers, employees, and the public, She urged the committee to reject the bill.

Chairperson Gossage introduced Katherine Fernandez-Olson, MPH, (Attachment11) who testified that all Kansans can remain safe from preventable disease. Voting against the bill is sound public health policy and protects from the spread of preventable disease.

Chairperson Gossage introduced Timothy Graham who spoke in opposition to the bill. (Attachment12) He testified the Kansas National Education Association believes that state legislatures should establish clear guidelines for waivers that minimize the numbers of unvaccinated students to those necessary due to documented medical conditions.

Chairperson Gossage introduced the Reverend Doctor Nori Rost who spoke in opposition to the bill. (Attachment13) Reverend Rost stated the bill is extremely dangerous and urged the committee to not allow the bill to leave the committee.

Chairperson Gossage introduced William Wilk who spoke in opposition to the bill. (Attachment14) He stated the bill would place extreme restrictions on Kansas Businesses that would likely result in increased litigation.

The conferees stood for questions from the committee.

WRITTEN ONLY OPPONENTS LAST NAMES A-L (Attachment15)

WRITTEN ONLY OPPONENTS LAST NAMES M-Z (Attachment16)

Chairperson Gossage closed the hearing on SB522.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 a.m.