It was passed as a reaction to COVID-19 visitation policies, where many patients were restricted from seeing in-person visitors and often observed worse health outcomes, Rep. John Eplee, an Atchison Republican, said.

Eplee, a physician, said he observed isolated patients at his own practice and heard dozens of stories from other physicians about patients dying “alone and isolated.”

“This bill allows families and loved ones present by their bedside during those real, critical times near the end of life,” he said. “It’ll provide better closure for families and possibly a better outcome for critically ill patients.”

“If you have a loved one’s presence, sometimes miraculous things can happen,” he continued.

Another bill would require parental consent to administer health care services to minors in school, such as providing medicine, administering a diagnostic test or conducting behavioral health treatment. Providers would be allowed to administer suicide risk assessments or behavioral health assessments or provide education materials.

A school nurse or health care provider who violates the law would be “subject to professional discipline from such healthcare provider’s appropriate licensing agency.”

Worker’s Compensation overhaul

On Monday, Kansas will overhaul its workers’ compensation benefits for the first time in over a decade. The law increased the money workers can earn to compensate for their injuries to $400,000 in their lifetime, up from $155,000.

The law also allows workers to get through the system quicker and safeguards workers’ Social Security benefits so that injured workers will not see their benefits drop after collecting a check.

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