Governor Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bill Enacting Licensure Compacts, Strengthening Commitment to Workforce Development

“I have consistently supported reducing barriers for qualified professionals to practice in Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This legislation is crucial for strengthening our workforce and creates an environment that attracts talent and fosters economic development.”  

The purpose of these compacts is to facilitate the portability of licenses across state lines, benefiting professionals and consumers alike, especially in fields like health care. The passage of this legislation makes Kansas among the first states to enact these compacts. It will go into effect once more states join the compacts.  

“House Bill 2069 is an example of the Legislature acting in the best interest of Kansans,” said Representative for House District 10 Suzanne Wikle. “These interstate compact acts will allow professionals, including military spouses, to quickly gain employment when they relocate to Kansas.” 

The compacts also reduce administrative burdens while increasing availability of licensed professionals as well as cooperation among member state licensing bodies. The compacts would preserve regulatory authority of states, while also providing license portability for qualifying professionals.  

The school psychologist, dietitian, cosmetologist, and physician assistant compacts would also ease the transition of relocating military members and their spouses and would give them privileges by having an unrestricted license when in good standing from a participating state. 

“House Bill 2069 is commonsense legislation that will reduce barriers for employment for school psychologists, cosmetologists, physician’s assistants, and dieticians,” said Representative for House District 40 David Buehler. “This is especially important for military family members coming to Kansas, making the state more military-friendly and boosting employment opportunities in our state. I am proud to have supported the passage of this bill.”  

In addition to House Bill 2069, Governor Kelly also signed the following bipartisan bills: 

Senate Bill 227: Provides for different credit percentages for the tax credit for the restoration and preservation of historic structures based on city populations and the amount of the expenditures. 

House Bill 2022: Requires special elections be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March or on the same day as a primary or general election.  

House Bill 2039: Adds maternity center to the definition of health care provider for purposes of the Health Care Provider Insurance Availability Act, amends definitions in the Kansas Credentialing Act, and makes changes to emergency medical services statutes 

Senate Substitute for House Bill 2060: Clarifies expense and reimbursement processes for certain travel and activities by state officials. 

House Bill 2075: Requires law enforcement to explore options to ensure a child's safety prior to taking the child into custody. It also specifies that the secretary must provide support to these officers. Additionally, it mandates that the court review the child's involvement in permanency planning, and a permanency hearing must be held within nine months of the child's removal. Subsequent hearings should take place every six months thereafter.  

House Substitute for Senate Bill 9: Establishes protections to ensure the security of Kansas military installations by limiting the ability of foreign adversaries to acquire land in proximity to those installations. The bill also ensures drone technology used in Kansas does not originate from a foreign adversary. 

Senate Bill 35: Reduces state property tax for Kansans by discontinuing the mill levies for the Kansas educational building fund and the state institutions building fund.  

House Bill 2088: Enacts the Fast Track Permits Act, which will establish standards to ensure the timely review of permits for building single-family residences, helping lower costs for developers and homeowners alike by limiting delays in the permit application process. 

House Bill 2155: Specifies that sheriffs have liability for official acts related to charge and custody of jails.