Action Alert: Use Your Voice!
February 9, 2024
SB 390 and SB 391 hearings are scheduled for next week and we need your help! Speak up about the way this legislation could harm you, your loved ones, and your community by submitting written or verbal testimony.
WHAT IT SAYS
“Prohibit discrimination against individuals to refuse medical care and creating a civil cause of action based on such discrimination; repealing the authority of the secretary of health and environment to quarantine individuals and impose associated penalties.”
Read the bill here: https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb390/
WHAT IT MEANS
SB 390 creates the right to a conscience-based refusal of vaccines and prohibits employers, schools, and some businesses from denying services based on a person’s refusal of vaccines. Like SB 391, SB 390 would eliminate multiple public health quarantine regulations.
THE IMPACT
- Employers, schools, businesses, healthcare organizations, and persons cannot deny services (or entry into places that other members of the public can access) based on a person’s refusal of vaccines. Under SB 390, denying services or entry is punishable by up to $10,000 in fines.
- By preventing healthcare organizations from requiring vaccines for staff, SB 390 escalates the risk that healthcare workers already take when caring for vulnerable patients every day.
- Currently, private business owners get to decide the health and safety measures that are best for customers and employees. Employers in Kansas are obligated to provide a safe working environment and have the right to set safety standards for employees, like getting an annual flu vaccine. SB 390 defines these standards as discrimination and infringes on employers’ rights.
- SB 390 weakens the ability of childcare facilities and schools to set childhood immunization requirements for attendance, which will expose children to vaccine-preventable diseases.
- SB 390 also increases the risk that vulnerable Kansans, like those with cancer, will be exposed to vaccine-preventable diseases.
WHAT IT SAYS
“Regulate the activities of the secretary of health and environment related to public health functions; repealing statutes relating to the secretary’s authority to quarantine individuals and impose associated penalties.”
Read the bill here: https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb391/
WHAT IT MEANS
Similar to SB 6 from last year’s legislative session, SB 391 hinders the ability of local and state governments to impose quarantines and enforce other preventive regulations meant to slow the spread of contagious diseases.
THE IMPACT
- By prohibiting quarantine measures, SB 391 severely limits local and state authorities’ ability to prevent, quickly respond to, and contain infectious disease outbreaks.
- SB 391 risks the health and safety of Kansas children, adults age 65 or older, adults who are disabled or immunocompromised, and those who are not able to receive a vaccine. When exposed to vaccine-preventable diseases, like polio or measles, vulnerable Kansans are more likely to experience long-term adverse health outcomes and may even die.
- Restricting isolation measures will result in infectious disease outbreaks, which will raise healthcare costs for Kansas residents and disease control costs for local and state governments.
TAKE ACTION!
1) Submit written testimony opposing SB 390 & SB 391, highlighting the impacts that matter most to you, your family, and your community.
To submit your written testimony, email a PDF copy to Public.Health.Welfare@senate.ks.gov.
⁕ SB 390 Deadline for Written Testimony: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 8:30 AM.
⁕ SB 391 Deadline for Written Testimony: Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 8:30 AM.
2) Give verbal testimony opposing SB 390 and SB 391. If possible, share a short, personal story about how this legislation will affect you and your loved ones with the Committee.
To give verbal testimony, email Public.Health.Welfare@senate.ks.gov to let them know you intend to give verbal testimony and whether you’ll speak virtually or in person.
⁕ SB 390 Deadline for Verbal Testimony: Monday, February 12, 2024 at 8:30 AM.
⁕ SB 391 Deadline for Verbal Testimony: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 8:30 AM.
3) Attend the hearings! Arrive early, grab a seat, and join your fellow public health advocates opposing this legislation.
SB 390 Hearing
Date: Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Time: 8:30 AM
Location: Kansas State Capitol – 300 W 10th, Topeka, KS 66612
Room: 548-S
SB 391 Hearing
Date: Thursday, February 15, 2024
Time: 8:30 AM
Location: Kansas State Capitol – 300 W 10th, Topeka, KS 66612
Room: 54
Invite your friends, family, and community to provide testimony, join you at the hearings, and share their stories, too!
This legislation impacts all Kansans in unique ways. It’s crucial for the Committee to hear a wide array of real-life experiences from teachers, disability advocates, business owners and their employees, juvenile justice advocates, and more.
Reach out to Committee members.
Reach out to your legislator.
Questions? Reach out to Erin Attebery, KPHA Policy Chair at eattebery@kumc.edu!