House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for HB2557 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Expanding the definition of "peer support counseling session" in the rules of evidence.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 7, 2024
Chairwoman Warren opened the hearing on HB2557.
Jason Thompson provided an overview of the bill and stood for questions. (Attachment 10)
Greg Smith, Johnson County Sheriffs Office, Special Deputy for Government Affairs, provided testimony in strong support of the definition of a 'peer support counseling session' as defined in the bill. There is more counseling sessions conducted for experiences outside of a critical incident. It is the confidentiality of the meeting that makes the peer support counseling so effective. (Attachment 11)
Lt. Alex Taylor - Kansas Highway Patrol provides testimony in support of HB2557. First responders experience traumatic events on a regular basis. Peer support teams provide these public servants way to speak with with their colleagues and confide in them during times of crisis. (Attachment 12 )
Ed Klumpp, Kansas Sheriffs Association; Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police; Kansas Peace Officers Association spoke in support of HB2557. The associations that he represents requested this bill to address concerns voiced to us from the Peer Support teams on the limitations in the current statute applying the confidentiality provisions. It is their desire to expand the confidentiality to other assistance being sought by the employees. (Attachment 13)
Written-only testimony in support of HB2557 was submitted by:
- Steve Kearney, Executive Vice President of the Kansas State Troopers Association (Attachment 14)
- ASAC Karen Blanton, Wellness Coordinator, KBI (Attachment 15)
- Chris Mann, First Responders Support Team Midwest (Attachment 16)
There being no further conferees, Chairwoman Warren closed the hearing on HB2557.
