Bill turning back the clean air act fails to advance in House
A bill aimed at rolling back some of the provisions and protections in the Kansas Clean Air Act, HB 2690, failed to advance in House debate on Friday. Just as debate on the bill began, Rep. Bill Otto (R-Leroy) made a motion to refer HB 2690 to the House Health and Human Services Committee for consideration, which passed on a vote of 62-49. The bill had been reviewed and recommended previously by the House Federal and State Affairs Committee.
If passed, the bill would weaken the Act by allowing smoking in any privately-owned business that employs and serves only those age 21 and older, and that appropriately posts on its premises that it is a smoking establishment. KAFP is opposed to any legislation that creates further exemptions to the state’s Clean Air Act and issued a call to action opposing passage of HB 2690.
A resolution that also came out of House Federal and State Affairs last week, House Resolution 6026, has not made it to the list of bills under consideration by the full House. At this point, it is unlikely that either HR 6026 or HB 2690 will advance in the 2012 Session. Many thanks to all physicians who contacted legislators this week to keep this legislation from moving forward.

No further action on PT access legislation
The conference committee looking at HB 2159 has yet to take further action on that legislation in the wrap-up session. The bill would allow more direct access for physical therapists to evaluate and treat patients, without a physician’s referral. The House Health & Human Services Committee amended the original bill to significantly limit the scope of practice proposed by physical therapists. The Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee held a hearing on the bill, but did not take further action on it.

Family Doctor of the Day
A big THANK YOU goes out to the following physicians for their FDOD service at the Statehouse this past week: Dr. Debra Doubek, Manhattan; and Dr. Brian Comer, Derby. Your service is greatly appreciated!

Next Week
The Legislature’s scheduled end of the 90-day session is Friday, May 11, 2012. Most of the large items of the session – including school finance, career-technical education, State Budget, reapportionment, and tax reform – have yet to be finalized, leaving many to question when and how the Legislature makes it out on time. Conference committee meetings and floor debate will continue through next week, as the Legislature seeks to finalize its work for this year.