SB 435 amends the revised Kansas Code for Care of Children, the Revised Kansas Juvenile Justice Code, and the law that requires the Kansas Sentencing Commission (KSC) to annually produce the Juvenile Correctional Facility population projections. The bill cures a conflict in the definitions section of the Revised Kansas Juvenile Justice Code. The bill also:
- Clarifies that a custodian may give consent for medical treatment when a child’s parents refuse to give consent, or are not available to give consent, and surgical or medical care is determined by a physician to be necessary for the welfare of the child;
- Authorizes services of process upon a confined parent to be made to the confined parent, in care of the person in charge of the institution in which the parent is confined or that person’s designee;
- Clarifies that in evidentiary hearings for termination of parental rights, the case may proceed with a proffer of evidence from a party who is not present for the hearing, unless that party is represented by counsel and has instructed the counsel to object to the proceeding;
- Clarifies that persons entitled to notice of the hearing in a Child in Need of Care proceeding have the right to be heard;
- Clarifies the law so that a court may not enter an order approving the removal of a child from the home of a parent unless the Court makes certain findings;
- Clarifies the start time for scheduling permanency hearings;
- Clarifies that relinquishment from an incarcerated parent or parent living out of state may be accomplished in writing so long as it is acknowledged by either a judge or an officer authorized to take acknowledgements (notary);
- Adds a definition of “infectious disease” that broadens permitted testing to all infectious disease rather than limiting it to HIV or Hepatitis B;
- Adds language that requires consent of a parent allowing permanent custodianship be notified of the consequences by an officer authorized by law or a judge.
HB 2186 amends the law regarding adoptions to ensure that persons who advertise to adopt, find an adoptive home for a child or otherwise place a child for adoption are subject to regulation. A person advertising to assist in an adoption process shall state in the advertisement whether or not such person is licensed and under what authority the license is issued, or if such person is licensed in any profession and if licensed, under what authority is the license issued and for what profession. This requirement shall not apply to the SRS or to an individual seeking to adopt a child.
In addition, the bill makes violation of these requirements to be punishable as an unclassified misdemeanor with a fine up to $1,000 for each violation.
This past week and next week I will be meeting with a three different departments in Topeka to help work out a mutually acceptable settlement on issues that affect some local constituents. I have meetings scheduled with KDOT, the Banking Commissioner, and Department of Revenue.
If you have a concern that you believe is not receiving a fair hearing from any of the State of Kansas Agencies, please let me know and we will see if I can be of assistance. Sometimes open communication is the quickest way to resolve an issue or get a clarification on a ruling. Sometimes we do not like the settlement but as long as there is a fair hearing and justification is presented there is almost always a compromise.
For the environmentalist in you I have some interesting news on recycling light bulbs. When you purchase a new style high efficiency fluorescent light bulb, the curly-Q looking ones, read about the proper disposal method. I had a DuraBright 100w bulb reported to last 13 times longer than our regular incandescent bulbs.
On the back of the package there is a warning that it contains mercury and must be disposed of according to local, state, or federal laws. You can call 1-800-397-1704 or go to www.lamprecycle.org to gain information on proper recycling methods.
I called our local landfill and although they do not have specific regulations about disposing of these new bulbs and any fluorescent bulbs they are working on some new rules. By calling the 800 number I found out that Home Depot has agreed to take all the defective bulbs as long as the glass is not broken. Sounds reasonable and convenient dispose of your old bulb and buy new one at the same place.
You will be pleased to know I did find information on the website to inform that many states are working on regulations to prevent this and other hazardous devices from being thrown into landfills. I will keep you posted on local rules and regulations, or you can call the Butler County Landfill at 320-1453.
I hope your summer is going well and for the school kids out there I hope you have not experienced “Brain Drain” and will be prepared for the next semester and school year.
I consider it an honor and privilege to be your Representative in Topeka, if you need some assistance or have questions about specific bills that were passed please give me a call. Contact me at www.johngrange.net, johng@carlisleinc.net, Home 1115 Rim Rock Road El Dorado, 67042
Or 316-321-2087
I would like to thank the El Dorado Times for allowing me to contribute these updates to the paper. I believe in keeping you informed and based on the frequency of calls I receive, this appears to be working.
Thanks again, John C. Grange, State Representative, 75th District.
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