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Minutes for SB29 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Enacting the constitutional right to health freedom act to regulate the activities of local health officers related to public health functions and revoking the secretary's authority to quarantine individuals and impose penalties for violations thereof.
Minutes Content for Fri, Feb 7, 2025
The hearing on SB29 was opened.
Jenna Moyer, Office of Revisor of Statutes gave a briefing on the legislation. (Attachment 1)
She responded to questions.
PROPONENTS
Melissa Campbell referenced legislation regarding government authority regarding quarantine going back twenty or so years. She shared several examples related to quarantine requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Attachment 2)
Festus Kreb, III referred to tuberculosis. He suggested the recent cases of tuberculosis in Kansas, come from people of other countries. (Attachment 3)
Kathy Brown offered her opinions regarding the recent pandemic. (Attachment 4)
Conferees responded to questions.
OPPONENTS
Randy Bowman, Kansas Association of Local Health Departments, stated the legislation seeks to limit or eliminate certain duties of the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment as well as local public health authorities, having to do with responding to infectious or contagious diseases. (Attachment 5)
Timothy Graham, Kansas National Education Association, stated the legislation would impact workplace and classroom safety and be a setback in the fight to eradicate childhood disease. (Attachment 6)
Ashley Goss, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, stated the legislation would significantly alter the current law that authorizes the duties and responsibilities of the agency to safeguard public health for all. She stated several current situations of outbreaks, outside of the state, so far. She noted the agency has exercised its authority for quarantine as it relates to the current outbreak of tuberculosis in the east part of the state. (Attachment 7)
William Wilk, Kansas Chamber of Commerce, stated the importance of employers determining what they believe is best for employees to ensure safety and protection. (Attachment 8)
Farah S. Ahmed, MPH, PhD., State Epidemiologist and Environmental Health Officer, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, responded to several questions.
Conferees responded to questions.
WRITTEN ONLY TESTIMONY
Proponents A-Z (Attachment 9)
Opponents A-Z (Attachment 10)
The hearing on SB29 was closed.
The meeting was adjourned.
