Multiple Bills Signed by Kansas Governor, Including Raising Smoking Age to 21

Governor Kelly signed House Bill 2288, which will increase access to professional counseling services by expanding the licensed professional counselor workforce. With this bill, Kansas joins an interstate compact in which clinical counselors can practice in all compact states. Now, professional counselors can more easily move to and work in Kansas, and Kansans can receive tele-counseling appointments from counselors in other states.

This bill also amends the law to add a licensure fee relating to the privilege to practice under the compact.

Governor Kelly also signed four other bipartisan bills into law:

SB 120 – Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Environment to adopt rules and regulations for an annual certification program that will approve the replacement of segments of water distribution systems. The program will also increase the amount of time a municipality will have to repay a loan from the Kansas Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund from 20 to 30 years.

Sub HB 2121 – Extends the suspension of statutory speedy trial time limitations and provides that time during the COVID-19 public health emergency shall not be assessed against the state.

HB 2240 – Requires clerks of district courts to provide written notice to certain parties, including parents, guardians, and court-appointed special advocates, when a child is placed in a qualified residential treatment program.

HB 2269 – Amends the Kansas Cigarette and Tobacco Products Act to raise the minimum age to 21 years old for the sale, purchase, or possession of cigarettes and other tobacco products.