The state’s COVID-19-based disaster declaration now runs through the end of March after Governor Laura Kelly signed a Senate bill to that effect Monday.
Senate Bill 14 lets the state continue different resources, support and regulations the governor calls critical to the state’s COVID-19 response. Among them: it lets the state provide community-based testing, offers support to food banks and gives hospitals and first responders access to personal protective equipment. It also continues the process for carryout of alcoholic beverages, expands availability of telemedicine and allows for temporary suspension of certain healthcare licensing and practice requirements.
However, after additions by Republicans, the governor can’t issue emergency actions to shut down businesses or limit gathering sizes.
Lawmakers are now turning their attention to a more structural overhaul of the Kansas Emergency Management Act to reflect pandemic-based response but also to make the local and state response easier, regardless of the emergency.
