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Minutes for HB2582 - Committee on K-12 Education Budget
Short Title
Creating the behavioral health intervention weighting as part of the Kansas school equity and enhancement act.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 19, 2020
Chair moved to work bill HB 2526, and called Jason Long to provide a brief overview of the bill regarding state capital improvements .
Rep. Dietrich moved to pass out bill favorably, Rep. Benson seconded.
Rep. Huebert moved for John Hess to provide a rough cost estimate related to the bill.
Chair moved to a vote. Vote was unanimous, No opposition.
HB 2526 passes out favorably.
Chair Williams called Jason Long, revisor statutes to give a brief overview of HB 2582
Rep. Dietrich and Ward proposed questions regarding the bill
Rep. Landwehr clarified the questions asked.
Chair opened the meeting for oral proponent testimony
Chair called Dr. Tonya Merrigan, USD 229 to testify. Tonya gave a brief background of her professional experience in mental health.
Dr. Merrigan provided proponent testimony.(Attachment 1)
Chair called Kyle Kessler, association of CMHC of KS to testify. Kyle shared the need for this bill.
Kyle provided proponent and neutral testimony. (Attachment 2)
Chair called Mark Dessetti, KS National Education Assoc to testify. Mark stressed the importance of this bill and statistics on suicide.
Mark provided oral testimony in support of the HB 2582.(Attachment 3)
Chair called Joan Tammany, ComCare of Sedgwick County to provide testimony.
Joan provided oral testimony in favor of HB 2582. Joan shared a few stories regarding the impact mental health has on youth. (Attachment 4)
Chair called Kathy Mosner, Central Kansas Mental Health Center to testify
Kathy provided testimony in support of HB 2582. Kathy shared background on her organization and the schools initiative, mission, and suicide statistics. (Attachment 5)
Chair called Dan Rice, South Central Mental Health Counseling Center to testify.
Dan provided oral testimony in support of HB 2582. Dan shared background on what he does and the successful results of the practices that he has implemented. (Attachment 6)
Chair called Brain Geary, Board member of Olathe Public Schools to testify
Brian provided oral testimony in support of the bill. Brian shared the information that he has been receiving from teachers and staff. Mental well being is a huge factor in everyone today. Shared the statistics on number of students and staff who have taken their lives.(Attachment 7)
Chair opened up for questions.
Rep. Hoffman, Williams, Tearwater, Benson provided questions
Mark Dessetti, Jason Long, Kyle Kessler and Rep. Landwehr clarified
Chair closed questions.
Chair opened for opponent testimony
Chair called Nick Reinecker, Kansas parent to testify.(Attachment 8)
Nick provided the committee with oral testimony not in favor of HB 2582. Nick shared that he was not in favor of the diagnoses process. Urged for more research
Chair opened for questions.
No questions.
Chair stated the committee should review written testimony provided to them.
Leah Fliter, KS Assoc. of School Boards, (Attachment 9)
Terrell Davis, Wichita Public Schools (Attachment 10)
Topeka Public Schools, (Attachment 11)
Ron Schieb (Attachment 12)
Brenda Mills, Paces of Wyandot Behavioral Health Network (Attachment 13)
Chair closed the hearing on HB 2582.
Chair adjourned at 4:35 pm.
