Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and state lawmakers may clash repeatedly, especially with the veto session beginning later this week, but they have found agreement on a new office.
The governor has signed Senate Bill 115, which establishes the Office of the Child Advocate — an independent state agency giving the department head advocate to various files and records of children in child welfare situations.
This sets up the office and also officially sets up the position to be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Kansas Senate. The department head is supposed to be chosen without concern about political affiliation and should have “extensive experience in case management, clinical services or legal services involving children and families. The Child Advocate will serve a five-year term.
The Office of Child Advocate is the result of work beginning seven years ago with work from the Child Welfare System Task Force.
The governor has signed other bills:
*Senate Bill 18, which sets up the Kansas Campus Restoration Fund to offer annual maintenance and capital improvement funds for the state’s colleges and universities.
*Senate Bill 356, which updates updates terms, definitions and conditions for real estate closings, insurance company examination fees and workers compensation pools.
*Senate Bill 359, which allows for distinct license plates for Kansas City sports teams and other entities.
*Senate Bill 384, giving authority to the Board of EMS to allow certain flexibilities for ambulance staffing regulations when it comes to patient transfers between hospitals.
*Senate Bill 455, which halts utilities from using eminent domain to place solar facilities.
*House Bill 2787, bringing the Kansas insurance guaranty association and Kansas life and health insurance guaranty association acts to current national standards.
The veto session begins Thursday and could last into next week.
