Representative Sandy Pickert provided testimony in support of HB2528 (Attachment 3). The bill addresses challenges nurses continue to experience due to punitive disciplinary measures of the Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN) for minor non-clinically related charges. These disciplinary measures cause anxiety, inability to fulfill work schedules, put employers in a bind, add extra burdens on co-workers, increase anxiety on patients and create financial hardship for the nurse. Efforts have been made to address these issue. A task force was conducted with KSBN board members, staff and other stakeholders to discuss potential changes of KSBN statutes and rules and regulations. A few "low hanging fruit" changes were implemented. Most issues remain unresolved. This bill will not only keep good, experienced nurses in the profession, but increase access to health care for Kansans.
Representative Pickert responded to questions from the committee.
Lacey Grogan, Private Citizen, provided testimony in support of HB2528 (Attachment 4). Register nurses in the State of Kansas are held to explicit statutory and ethical obligations. Failure to do so puts patients at risk and exposes nurses to discipline, loss of licensure, or other serious consequences. Ms. Grogan provided her personal story. Ms. Grogan testimony raises broader concerns about whether nurses in Kansas can safely report adverse events without fear of professions ruin.
Joshua Connor, Private Citizen, provided testimony in support of HB2528 (Attachment 5). Mr. Connor provided his personal story.
Shannon Gregg, Private Citizen, provided testimony in support of HB2528 (Attachment 6). Ms. Gregg provided her personal story. Ms. Gregg stated that her license is the livelihood of her career, reputation and ability to support herself and family.
Ms. Gregg responded to questions from the committee.
Kathy Coslett, Private Citizen, provided testimony in support of HB2528 (Attachment 7). Ms.Coslett provided a personal story about her husband. Ms Coslett said do not come after and shame nurses for clerical errors.
Ms. Coslett responded to questions from the committee.
Melissa Vaughn, Private Citizen, provided testimony in support of HB2528 (Attachment 8). Ms. Vaughn provided details related to issues she had in submitting her online license renewal and the resulting disciplinary actions taken.
Michael Schommer, Private Citizen, provided testimony in support of HB2528 (Attachment 9). Mr. Schommer provided a personal story about his son and his positive interaction with a nurse who had been affected by a disciplinary action unfairly.
Kathy Brown, Private Citizen, provided testimony in support of HB2528 (Attachment 10). Ms. Brown is a nurse and an attorney. Ms. Brown provided information about her interaction as an attorney defending a nurse who had been investigated for exerting her free speech on a topic.
Aaron Kelley, Private Citizen, provided testimony in support of HB2528 (Attachment 11). As a long-term care administrator, the state is facing dire shortages of nurses, particularly in rural areas. Kansas cannot afford to lose ethical and competent nurses over non-practice related violations. Points for review by the committee were provided.
Kerri Mosinski, Chief Administrative Officer, Midland Care Connection, provided testimony in support of HB2528 (Attachment 12). Based on experience, the KSBN demonstrates misplaced priorities, insufficient staffing or both. This has resulted in excessive delays, lack of communication, and inefficiencies that undermine the purpose of professional regulation, namely. protecting patients and the public. Information was provided regarding reporting a registered nurse due to possible medication diversion. The KSBN stated that an investigation had started. Nothing was heard for four and a half of years. The bill supports more timely investigations, better use of limited resources, and a regulatory system that serves both public safety and fairness.
Pamela Frueschting, Private Citizen, provided testimony in support of HB2528 (Attachment 13). Ms. Frueschting is a member of the Nursing Alliance for Fair Treatment. This is a group founded in December 2025 for the express purpose of informing the public and the Kansas legislature of the urgent need to rectify the inconsistent and sometimes punitive treatment of nurses by the KSBN for disciplinary cases. The objectives of the organization were reviewed with the committee. Data regarding the 61 cases of nurses with late renewal and their fines was provided.
Linda Moody, Private Citizen, provided testimony in support of HB2528 (Attachment 14). The KSBN has harmed thousands of Kansas nurses during the past 20 years by punishing clerical errors with the same vigor as complaints of practice errors that potentially harm patients. These are considered unprofessional conduct and are reported to the National Practitioner Database. The bill explicitly removes clerical issues, such as lapsed licenses and other submission errors from being designated as "unprofessional conduct".
Darin Peterson, Private Citizen, provided testimony is support of HB2528 (Attachment 15). In response to the House Oversight Committee meeting in September, the consultant hired by the KSBN repeatedly admonished the KSBN for spending two thirds of their time creating disciplinary cases out of thin air and punishing those nurses, rather than focusing on protecting the public from high-risk, harmful, practice violations. KSBN then voted to approve submission of a bill expanding discipline over nurses for the purpose of causing deeper damage of a wide swath of nurses.
Mr. Peterson responded to questions from the committee.
Representative Doug Blex on behalf of his wife, Meggin, provided testimony in support of HB2528 (Attachment 16). A personal story regarding experiences related to interactions with the KSBN.
The following provided written only proponent testimony:
Amy Siple, Private Citizen (Attachment 17)
Kathryn Adkins, Private Citizen (Attachment 18)
Ana Ahrens, Private Citizen (Attachment 19)(Attachment 20)(Attachment 21)(Attachment 22)(Attachment 23)
Sara Friesen, Private Citizen (Attachment 24)
Janel Sanford, Private citizen (Attachment 25)
Beth Bowman, Private Citizen (Attachment 26)
Taryn Dermann, Private Citizen (Attachment 27)
Michelle Dreiling, Private Citizen (Attachment 28)
Elaine Gebhardt, Private Citizen (Attachment 29)
Ilonda Griffee, Private Citizen (Attachment 30)
Madelynn Guera, Private Citizen (Attachment 31)
Erin Harris, Private Citizen (Attachment 32)
Sydni Koppes, Private Citizen (Attachment 33)
Julie Martinez, Private Citizen (Attachment 34)
Jody Morrison, Private Citizen (Attachment 35)
Ruth Noblit, Private Citizen (Attachment 36)
Kristina Roberts, Private Citizen (Attachment 37)
Lindsi Sorenson, Private Citizen (Attachment 38)