MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR

House Bill No. 2285

An Act concerning the secretary of health and environment; relating to drug overdoses; requiring the secretary of health and environment to study overdose deaths; providing for the confidentiality of acquired and compiled records; restricting the powers of the secretary of health and environment and local health officers to control the introduction and spread of infectious or contagious diseases; revoking the authority of the secretary to order individuals to isolate or quarantine and impose penalties for violations thereof; prohibiting the secretary of health and environment from requiring a COVID-19 vaccination in order to attend a child care facility or school; amending K.S.A. 65-116g, 65-119, 65-128, 65-129b, 65-129d, 65-508 and 72-6262 and K.S.A. 2022 Supp. 65-101, 65-202 and 72-5180 and repealing the existing sections; also repealing K.S.A. 65-126, 65-127, 65-129 and 65-129c.

Message to the Legislature of the State of Kansas

The field of public health was pioneered here in Kansas, yet lawmakers continue trying to undermine the advancements that have saved lives in every corner of our state.

That’s most recently evidenced by this bill, an effort by politicians in Topeka to win political points in the short-term while threatening the long-term health and safety of all Kansans and of our economy. There’s no question: Preventing Kansas’ local and state health officials from providing even basic testing for contagious human and zoonotic diseases – including measles, meningitis, Ebola, and polio – will hurt our ability to stop unnecessary outbreaks in the future.

Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2285.

Laura Kelly, Governor

Dated May 12, 2023.