A compromise plan to address staffing challenges for rural ambulance service was tossed out last week by Kansas lawmakers, leaving in doubt how the Legislature will address the issue.

At issue is a regulatory requirement that ambulances operate with two medically credentialed attendants, which poses challenges for rural services.

“This is a bill that allows ambulances, particularly in rural areas, to move with only one EMT and one certified driver,” Rep. Fred Gardner, R-Garnett, said of Senate Bill 384. “Current regulation requires two EMTs. As we all know, rural health care is a problem. We’re short of people, and we struggle to keep our hospitals and our emergency medical services properly staffed.”

Gardner said the profession has lost workers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, services are stressed when ambulances need two EMTs to transfer a patient from a rural hospital to a metro area that can provide more specialized services.

After the League of Kansas Municipalities brought the bill request, legislators largely agreed that addressing the issue was necessary. But the House and Senate took different approaches that will likely have to be negotiated in a conference committee.

The plan favored by the Senate was touted as a compromise with industry professionals. The version favored by the House was derided as “dangerous” by Joseph House, executive director of the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services.

“SB 384 is not a policy the state of Kansas wants to enact,” House said in written testimony about the version of the bill favored by the House. “It unintentionally enables bad actors, unnecessarily places EMS providers at increased risk, and would prove to be nearly impossible to implement successfully.”

He urged lawmakers to support the board’s existing variance program, which is relatively new. The compromise language passed by the Senate would have authorized the board to grant permanent variances.

Rep. Stephen Owens, R-Hesston, didn’t like the idea of allowing but not requiring the board to grant variances.

“The board of EMS is being empowered to further regulate our EMS departments when what we need now is less regulation,” Owens said.

He urged the House to reject the compromise version of the bill. He blamed the problem on the state board and took issue with giving them more power.

“This codifies in statute a tremendous amount of authority in the board of EMS,” Owens said. “It’s important to understand that this problem exists because of decisions made by the board of EMS. It is a decision by the board of EMS to require two EMTs or higher certifications on ambulances. State statute only requires one.”

The version favored by the House would block the state board from requiring an ambulance in a city or county with a population of less than 50,000 people to have more than the statutory minimum.

Industry officials said that language appeared to eliminate the two-person requirement entirely, which could leave patients unattended in the back of an ambulance. If there were a driver, they wouldn’t have to have any specialized training in driving an emergency vehicle.

“The Kansas EMS Association understands and acknowledges there are struggles in the smaller counties and communities due to monetary constraints as well as the ability to recruit and retain volunteers and employees,” wrote David Adams, president of the Kansas Emergency Medical Services Association. “This bill will lead to unnecessary and needless suffering and deaths of our citizens.”

As reported in the Topeka Capital Journal

Knives are versatile tools with a wide range of uses, from everyday tasks to outdoor excursions. However, knife laws can be complex and vary from state to state. Understanding your knife rights in Kansas is essential to avoid any potential legal issues and ensure you’re carrying and using your knives responsibly.

A. State Laws

Kansas has remarkably permissive knife laws. The state places very few restrictions on the types of knives you can own, carry, and use. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:

• Definition of a Knife: Kansas law broadly defines a knife as “any cutting instrument consisting of a sharpened or pointed blade.”
• Blade Length: There are no statewide blade length restrictions in Kansas. You can legally carry knives with blades of any length.
• Illegal Knives: The law does prohibit certain types of knives, primarily those designed to be hidden or used primarily as weapons:
  • Ballistic knives
  • Switchblades (Automatic knives)
  • Blackjacks, slungshots, billy clubs, sandclubs, metal knuckles
• Exceptions: The law may have exceptions for using knives during hunting, fishing, or other lawful activities.

B. Local Laws

While Kansas has no statewide restrictions for most knives, specific cities or municipalities within the state may have their own knife ordinances. These local laws could be more restrictive than state laws. Important points to remember:

• Check Your Local Ordinances: Always research local regulations governing knives in your specific city or county. You can find this information on the official websites of cities like Wichita, Topeka, Overland Park, or by contacting local law enforcement.
• Potential Restrictions: Local laws might place restrictions on blade length, carrying methods, or prohibit certain knives in design
  

  Carrying Knives in Kansas

  Kansas allows both open and concealed carry of knives. Here’s what this means:

  • Open Carry: You can legally carry a knife visibly on your person, in a belt sheath or holster, for example.
  • Concealed Carry: You can carry a knife hidden from view, such as in a pocket or bag. There are no permit requirements for concealed carry in Kansas.
  • School Property: Carrying knives of any kind on school grounds is generally prohibited. Consult your school district’s policies for specific information.

  Using Knives in Kansas

  While Kansas laws are lenient towards owning and carrying knives, it’s crucial to understand restrictions on their use.

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  Threatening Behavior: Using a knife to threaten or intimidate someone is a crime, regardless of the blade length.

• • Self-Defense: Kansas law recognizes the right to self-defense. You may be justified in using a knife to defend yourself or others if you reasonably believe there’s an imminent threat of serious bodily harm. However, it’s important to seek legal counsel if you are involved in a situation where the use of a knife for self-defense is involved.

  Conclusion

  Kansas offers its citizens broad freedoms when it comes to knife ownership and carry. It’s essential to be aware of restrictions on specific types of knives and potential local ordinances. Remember, carrying a knife is a responsibility. Always use knives safely and avoid situations where they could be perceived as a threat.

  Disclaimer This article provides general information on Kansas knife laws. It is not intended as legal advice. If you have specific questions about your knife rights or legal situations, please consult with a qualified attorney.