23 March 2006
Sebelius signs law to protect victims of crime
Bill among seven signed into law today
A new law signed by Governor Kathleen Sebelius today is designed to help protect victims by expanding the reach of protective orders.
Sebelius, who has worked with victims of domestic violence throughout her career, said the new law will help crime victims by expanding the range of time covered by protective orders, such as protection from abuse orders, restraining orders, or protection from stalking orders.
Current law in this area only covers violations during pretrial release, diversion, probation, suspended sentence and post-release supervision. HB 2617 expands that to include violations at any other time during a criminal case. This bill will take effect after publication in the statute book.
Governor Sebelius also signed six other bills, all of which will take effect upon publication into the statute book. Descriptions of those bills appear below.
Expanding the KBI’s missing persons database
HB 2626, expands the KBI database on missing persons to include an unidentified person database. The information will improve the ability of law enforcement officials to locate and return missing persons, identify persons or human remains, and inform family members. The collected information will be available to law enforcement officers, state coroners and state agencies with the need to know. The bill also ensures that law enforcement agencies investigating a report will not give information to the reporting party if there is reason to believe the missing person is staying at or has made contact with a domestic violence or sexual assault program or the missing person does not expressly consent to the release of this information.
Updating the Kansas Do Not Call Registry
SB 463 repeals the section of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act regarding the requirements of local exchange carriers and telecommunications carriers to notify residential subscribers of the opportunity to limit the telemarketing calls they receive by registering on the Kansas do not call registry. This bill provides the flexibility in responding to any future changes in the provider of the Kansas Do Not Call Registry.
Amending requirements for group-funded workers compensation pools
SB 515 amends the statutes regarding the application requirements for group-funded workers compensation pools. The bill allows adequate surplus funds, approved by the Insurance Commissioner, in lieu of the required confirmation of specific and aggregate excess insurance. The commissioner would be allowed to require an independent actuarial review of claims reserves as part of the review of surplus funds.
Changing requirements for pharmacy technicians
HB 2830 requires pharmacy technicians to pass a board approved examination within 30 days of registration with the State Board of Pharmacy. Under current law an applicant would have to pass the examination prior to registration.
Changing accreditation council for pharmacists
HB 2831 replaces the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education with the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy as the entity designed to approve the necessary training for pharmacists administering vaccines.
Repealing provision in the Kansas Pharmacy Act concerning free-standing renal dialysis facilities
HB 2678 repeals the provision in the Kansas Pharmacy Act that requires free-standing renal dialysis facilities that dispense drugs to consumers to register with the State Board of Pharmacy. Currently, Medicare does not require renal dialysis facilities to be staffed or supervised by pharmacists or pharmacist consultants. These requirements under current law impose extra expenses on dialysis facilities.
Governor Sebelius has now signed 37 bills and vetoed 2 during the 2006 Legislative Session.
