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Minutes for SB489 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Removing certain regulatory authority concerning infectious or contagious diseases from the secretary of health and environment.
Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 8, 2022
Chairperson Hilderbrand opened the hearing on SB489.
Jenna Moyer, Staff Revisor gave an overview of the bill. She took questions from committee members.
Greg Smith testified in support of the provision on page 4, lines 3-5 of SB489. The stricken language would take sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, and law enforcement out of the equation of possibly being entangled in a dangerous situation that could place the public and law enforcement at greater risk. The rapid issuance of, and sometimes nearly as rapid revocation of, emergency orders left the public confused and law enforcement responding to calls for service for circumstances that were not our to enforce. The ability of the Attorney General's Office to provide guidance was appreciated in a world where the rules changed constantly. (Attachment 1)
Melissa Campbell, in her proponent testimony, stated that she believes SB489 makes important changes that are essential to maintain liberty for Kansas when it comes to health decision. SB489 also removes power from the county or joint board of health or local health officer to prohibit public gatherings as it pertains to attempting to control contagious disease. (Attachment 2)
Written only, proponent testimony was submitted by:
Jill O'Connor, Private Citizen (Attachment 3)
Debbie Detmer, Private Citizen (Attachment 4)
Jay Hall testified as an opponent to SB489 by stating that SB489 removes the ability for a county or joint board of health or the local health officer from prohibiting public gatherings when necessary for the control of an infectious/contagious diseases in the future. He said no one knows, at this moment, what the next crisis will be but would urge caution when considering these types of long term policies. (Attachment 5)
Written only, opponent testimony was submitted by:
Rachelle Colombo, Executive Director, Kansas Medical Society (Attachment 6)
Shalei Shea, Director and Health Office, Mcpherson County Health Dept. (Attachment 7)
Karla Nichols, Director, Reno County Health Department (Attachment 8)
Dennis Kriesel, Executive Director, Kansas Assoc. of Local Health Departments (Attachment 9)
Adrienne Byrne, Health Director, Sedwick County Health Department (Attachment 10)
Dawn Olney, Private Citizen (Attachment 11)
Ali Hilton, MAIC Director, NurtureKC (Attachment 12)
Jennifer Bacani-McKenney, MD, Kansas Academy of Family Physicians (Attachment 13)
Ron Syzmankowski, Private Citizen (Attachment 14)
Written only, neutral testimony was submitted by:
Sheriff Jeff Easter, Legislative Chair, The Kansas Sheriff's Assoc., Kansas Assoc. of Chiefs of Police and Kansas Peace Officers Assoc. (Attachment 15)
Conferees took questions from committee members.
Chairperson Hilderbrand closed the hearing on SB489.
