Sebelius signs bill to prohibit cyberbullying
Bill also expands Parents as Teachers programs

To ensure a safe and welcoming learning environment for every Kansas child, Governor Kathleen Sebelius has signed a bill to require schools to prohibit cyberbullying. The bill also expands opportunities for parents to participate in Parents as Teachers programs.

“The dynamic of schools have changed. Children interact in ways that were unavailable a generation ago. As more students stay after school to participate in activities or use the internet to communicate with one another, it’s important that every child feels safe and secure,” Sebelius said.

HB 2758 requires school district anti-bullying policies to prohibit bullying using school property and include the prohibition of cyberbullying.

The bill also would expand the age of eligibility for students who qualify for parent education programs to any child under the age of eligibility for school attendance. Current law provides that parent education programs (Parents as Teachers) can be provided for infants and toddlers under the age of three.

Governor Sebelius also signed eight other bills today bringing the total number of bills signed during the 2008 Legislative Session to 81 with one having been vetoed.

Regarding vehicle protection products

Sub. for HB 2725 exempts vehicle protection products, as defined in the bill, from complying with the provisions of Chapter 40–Insurance of the Kansas Statutes Annotated. It would define “vehicle protection products” as products including alarm systems, steering locks, and tracking devices. This bill goes into effect after its publication in the statute book.

Regulation of state-chartered credit unions

SB 535 enacts new law and amends existing statutes governing field of membership and the mergers, branching, and other procedures associated with the regulation of state-chartered credit unions. This bill goes into effect after its publication in the statute book.

Regarding commercial fleet registration

SB 522 amends state law to allow certain commercial fleet vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds to participate in the fleet registration process of KSA 2007 Supp. 8-1,152. In addition, the bill would provide that the unused registration fee could be transferred to another fleet motor vehicle which is registered at the same or greater weight. This bill goes into effect after its publication in the statute book.

Repealing KSA 48-1604, a statute regarding nuclear materials

HB 2681 repeals KSA 48-1604, which required several state agencies to study the need for changes in state law arising from the presence in Kansas of nuclear materials and facilities. The statute also provided that the Governor could direct any agency to conduct such a study. This bill goes into effect after its publication in the statute book.

Amending the Pharmacy Act

Sub for HB 2207 authorizes the Board of Pharmacy to take an action pursuant to the emergency procedures provisions in the Kansas Administrative Procedure Act against the holder of a retail dealer’s permit when the Board determines such action is necessary for the immediate protection of the public interest. Another statute that concerns nonresident pharmacies is amended to change the penalty for violation of the statute from a class C misdemeanor to a severity level 10, nonperson felony. This bill also gives the Board of Healing Arts the authority temporarily to suspend or limit the registration of an entity dispensing contact lenses to Kansans by mail in accordance with the emergency procedures under the Kansas Administrative Procedure Act if the continued dispensing of lenses by such entity would constitute an eminent danger to the public. This bill goes into effect after its publication in the register.

Relating to medical and professional malpractice screening panels

HB 2188 allows each defendant in a petition or claim to request a separate screening panel and eliminate the requirement that members of a screening panel be appointed within ten days after the receipt of notice that a panel has been convened. The bill allows the plaintiff or claimant and the defendant or respondent to select a person licensed in the same profession as the defendant or respondent with 20 days of receipt of notice of the convening of the screening panel. The parties jointly would designate a person licensed in the same profession as the defendant or respondent within ten days after the individual designations have been made. The time period in which a screening panel must make a written recommendation would be increased from 90 to 180 days. The bill also increases the compensation for a professional licensee screening panel member from $250 to $500 and increase the chairperson’s compensation from $500 to $750. The compensation would be for all work performed no matter the time involved. This bill goes into effect after its publication in the statute book.

Certification of emergency medical attendants

SB 512 allows the Emergency Medical Services Board to grant an emergency medical attendant certificate if such applicant has:

• Successfully completed a course of instruction
• Worked as required by the rules and regulations of the Emergency Medical Services Board
• Successfully completed course work in another jurisdiction that is substantially equivalent to that required by the rules and regulations adopted by the Board.

This bill also allows the Board to grant a temporary attendant’s certificate if:

• The applicant is certified or licensed in another jurisdiction, but whose course work is not substantially equivalent to that required by the Board. The temporary certificate would be valid for one year or until the applicant has completed the course work.
• The applicant has completed the course work and has taken the required examination, but has not received the results of the examination. The temporary certificate would be valid for 120 days from the date of the examination.

Under the bill, any applicant who has been granted a temporary certificate would have to be under the direct supervision of a physician, a physician’s assistant, a professional nurse, or an attendant holding a certificate higher or equivalent to that of the applicant.

The Board would be allowed to deny, revoke, limit, modify, suspend, or refuse to renew a certification if the applicant:

• Has made intentional misrepresentation in obtaining or renewing a certificate
• Has demonstrated incompetence or engaged in unprofessional conduct
• Has violated any rules or regulations of the Board
• Has been convicted of any state or federal crime related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a certified attendant or been convicted of a felony and the Board determines that such individual has not been sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant public trust.

The bill also would require the Board to adopt a graduated list of sanctions for violations of the Emergency Medical Services Act which specifies the number and severity of violations for the imposition of each level of sanction. This bill goes into effect after its publication in the statute book.

Regarding the Kansas Offender Registration Act; adding electronic solicitation

SB 477 would amend current law to add electronic solicitation of a minor to the list of sexually violent crimes requiring registration pursuant to the Kansas Offender Registration Act. Only those offenders convicted of electronic solicitation of a minor on or after the effective date of the bill would be required to register. This bill goes into effect after its publication in the register.

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