Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2681

Introduced
2/4/26  

Caption

Establishing the department of corrections peer support fund and transferring moneys from the state general fund to the department of corrections peer support fund.

Impact

This legislation outlines that $500,000 will be transferred from the state general fund to the peer support fund starting from July 1, 2026, to support these initiatives. Additionally, successive years may see further appropriations drawn from the state general fund or special revenue funds, which will enhance the sustainability of mental health programs for corrections personnel. The bill emphasizes that the fund should strictly serve the purpose of the peer support program, ensuring dedicated resources for this essential service.

Summary

House Bill 2681 establishes the Department of Corrections Peer Support Fund aimed at improving mental health support for corrections officers and employees within the Department of Corrections. The fund is specifically designated for financing peer support programs intended to provide crucial services such as crisis intervention and suicide prevention. Establishing this fund signifies an acknowledgment of the unique stresses and challenges faced by corrections personnel, promoting a proactive approach to mental health and wellness within the department.

Conclusion

Ultimately, House Bill 2681 reflects a legislative effort to address critical mental health needs among corrections personnel, aiming to foster a supportive environment that reduces the stigma associated with seeking help. As this bill progresses, its implications for state law will unfold further, particularly in discussions surrounding mental health resources allocation and the responsibilities of state departments in safeguarding employee well-being.

Contention

While the bill presents a positive step towards enhancing mental health resources within correctional facilities, it also opens discussions on state budget allocations. Some stakeholders may raise concerns about the prioritization of funding for corrections personnel over other mental health initiatives within broader community contexts. The administration of the fund, governed by guidelines set forth by the Secretary of Corrections, might face scrutiny regarding its effectiveness and transparency.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2001

Authorizing the secretary of commerce to enter into agreements with major professional sports franchises to establish STAR bond projects for a major professional sports complex, providing for additional revenue sources, expanding the powers and discretion of the secretary and making other changes to the STAR bonds financing act to facilitate such projects, limiting the secretary’s authority to approve such projects to one year unless extended by the legislative coordinating council, authorizing the Kansas development finance authority to issue STAR bonds for such projects, transferring funds under certain circumstances from the state gaming revenues fund to the attracting professional sports to Kansas fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and, if approved by the legislative coordinating council, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

KS SB1

Modifying income tax rates for individuals, exempting all social security benefits from Kansas income tax, increasing the Kansas standard deduction and the Kansas personal exemption, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, decreasing the privilege tax normal tax, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value for property tax valuation purposes, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund and abolishing the local ad valorem tax reduction fund and the county and city revenue sharing fund.

KS SB2

Eliminating the income limit to qualify for the subtraction modification exempting social security benefits, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, citing the increased property tax homestead refund claim section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, decreasing the normal privilege tax rate, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, decreasing the rate of ad valorem tax imposed by a school district; providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund, reducing the state rate of tax on sales of food and food ingredients and modifying the percent credited to the state highway fund from revenue collected.

KS HB2003

Establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, modifying the definition of household income and increasing the appraised value threshold for eligibility of seniors and disabled veterans related to increased property tax claims and citing the section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, providing property tax exemptions for certain personal property including watercraft, marine equipment, off-road vehicles, motorized bicycles and certain trailers, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value, providing for certain exclusions from the prohibition of paying taxes under protest after a valuation notice appeal and providing four prior years' values on the annual valuation notice.

KS SB7

Authorizing federally licensed firearm dealers, in addition to county sheriffs, to receive applications for concealed carry licenses and forward such applications to the attorney general, prohibiting sheriffs from assessing any fee related to application services and allowing dealers to assess a fee related to application services not to exceed $20.

KS HB2002

Expanding medical assistance eligibility and enacting the cutting healthcare costs for all Kansans act.

KS SCR1604

Proposing to amend section 1 of article 11 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to limit property tax valuation increases for real property and personal property mobile homes.

KS SB8

Exempting the sale of firearms, firearms accessories, ammunition, firearm safes and firearm safety devices from the retatilers' sales tax.

KS SB6

Providing a sales tax exemption for sales of electricity to residential premises by municipally owned or operated utilities.

KS SCR1603

Proposing to amend section 1 of article 11 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to limit property tax valuation increases for residential property.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.