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Minutes for SB390 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Enacting the conscientious right to refuse act to prohibit discrimination against individuals to refuse medical care and creating a civil cause of action based on such discrimination; repealing the authority of the secretary of health and environment to quarantine individuals and impose associated penalties.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 14, 2024
Vice-Chairperson Erickson opened the hearing on SB390.
Jenna Moyer, Staff Revisor gave an overview of the bill. (Attachment 1) She took questions from committee members.
Senator Mark Steffen testified in support of SB390. He stated he strongly supports SB390 as a means to satisfy the individual's constitutional right to freedom and independence. SB390 is a clean-up bill" that closes loopholes that remain unaddressed from the Special Session legislation in 2021. (Attachment 2)
William Mize, in his proponent testimony, stated that SB390 addresses many gaps in current law that would protect Kansans from discrimination for their vaccine beliefs and provides for enforcement with a private cause of action. (Attachment 3)
Kathy Brown, Attorney and RN, gave proponent testimony and said "we will not allow administrators to force us to violate our own common sense" and "will not allow them to "treat" our children without our consent". (Attachment 4)
Michelle Eagleman testified as a proponent of SB390 by stating that SB390 needs to pass this committee. We need to repeal the authority of the Secretary of Health and Environment to quarantine individuals and impose associated penalties. (Attachment 5)
Jere Enegren spoke in support of SB390 stating that "we have already turned over too many of our freedoms based on political policy rather than opening our eyes and standing up for what is right". "Our government has proven to be untrustworthy to make such important decisions for me and my family". (Attachment 6)
Debra Mize said in her proponent testimony for SB390 that in 2020, we saw the danger to our Constitution that President Eisenhower warned us of with government overreach at both the federal level and with our own KDHE. I urge you to begin to address this danger by passing SB390. (Attachment 7)
Connie Newcome in her proponent testimony stated that this committee's job to represent the people, not corporate or government interests and should pass SB390. (Attachment 8)
Heather Braum gave opponent testimony to SB390. She said SB390 would water down long-standing vaccination policies, eliminate quarantine protocols and prevent local and state officials from stopping the spread of infectious disease outbreaks.(Attachment 9)
Randy Bowman spoke in opposition of SB390. He stated that SB390 will not improve any future disease response and takes unnecessary risks to the health of Kansans and to the economy in an effort to alleviate the concerns of the proponents. (Attachment 10)
Tim Graham gave opposition testimony to SB390. He stated that SB390 would be a huge step backward in the accepted practices that have been essential in the progress of eradicating childhood diseases; would open the door for individuals to disregard guidance in preventing infectious diseases and would also prevent schools from providing safe and healthy workplaces for educators and students. (Attachment 11)
Geovannie Gone spoke in opposition of SB390. She said it unnecessarily creates yet another layer and process. . (Attachment 12)
William Wilk testified in opposition of SB390 by stating that SB390 is an unnecessary piece of legislation that places extreme restrictions on Kansas businesses. (Attachment 13)
Reverend Dr.Annie Ricker stated in her opponent testimony that SB390 is ill-considered and dangerous. Her opposition focuses on the expansion of a so-called "theistic or non-theistic moral or ethical exemption" to immunization requirements. (Attachment 14)
Kimberly Martin spoke in opposition of SB390. She requested that the committee vote no in order to continue to prevent outbreaks of childhood illnesses that put a strain on childhood learning, as well as the economy from increased Kansas dollars spent on healthcare for both acute and chronic outcomes. (Attachment 15)
Questions were asked to both proponent and opponent conferees by committee members.
Proponent Written-only testimonies submitted by: A - Z: (Attachment 16)
Opponent Written-only testimonies submitted by: A - Z (Attachment 17)
Vice Chairperson Erickson closed the hearing on SB390.
Vice Chairperson Erickson adjourned the meeting at 9:25 a.m. The next scheduled meeting is February 15, 2024 at 8:30 a.m.
