By Trish Svoboda/Image courtesy Canva

The Kansas Health Institute shared that during Week 8 of the 2026 Kansas legislative session, lawmakers returned to a full schedule of committee meetings and hearings. They worked on and passed several bills focused on health and children’s issues.

Lawmakers considered updating income limits for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to determine how much a family can earn and still qualify for coverage. They also advanced bills that would expand the medical tasks physical therapists and pharmacists are allowed to perform.

In addition, the legislature worked on updates to the interstate agreement for placing children across state lines and made changes to licensing requirements for advanced practice nurses. Another measure would give law enforcement clearer authority to take custody of children under age 18 in certain situations.

Committees also held informational presentations and hearings on topics such as maternal health care access, showing ongoing work on broad health policy issues.

Lawmakers will continue work on these and other bills as the session moves forward.