For Immediate Release
September 28, 2011
For more information, contact:
Sara Arif
Director of Public Affairs
Kansas Department on Aging
785.296.6154
Sara.arif@aging.ks.gov
Silver Haired Legislature Convenes
Topeka- The 2011 Kansas Silver Haired Legislature began its 29th annual session today at the Ramada Hotel in Topeka. The session began this morning with the swearing-in ceremony and short speech from Secretary of Aging, Shawn Sullivan. The session consists of a full legislative process, with testimony being heard by committees today, and voting by the committee of the whole tomorrow morning. The following are the bills and resolutions that will be heard:
SHL Bill 2802 – Enacting the geriatric mental health act; establishing a geriatric mental health program administered by the department on aging.
SHL Bill 2803 – Concerning the creating of the health care for seniors fund; disposition of certain additional tobacco litigation settlement proceeds.
SHL Bill 2804 – Using all moneys credited to the Senior Services Fund or to the Health Care For Seniors Fund for programs administered through the Area Agencies on Aging.
SHL Bill 2805 – Enacting legislation requiring all newly manufactured multi-passenger vehicles to be equipped seat belts for all passengers.
SHL RESOLUTION 2807 – Urging the Kansas Legislature to study the elimination of certain sales tax exemptions and exclusions to organizations that do not provide services and benefits on a statewide basis.
SHL Resolution 2808 – An act relating to insurance concerning the mandatory reinstatement of certain insurance policies in case of mental incapacity of an insured.
SHL Bill 2809 – Concerning the disposition of certain lottery proceeds for the health care for seniors fund.
SHL Bill 2810 -- Grandparents’ Custody of Children – The court would consider a grandparent to be a custodian of a child if the child resides with the grandparent in a stable relationship and it is in the child’s best interest. (This has also been introduced as legislation in Senate Bill 81.)
SHL Resolution 2811 – Urging the Kansas Legislature to fund an enhancement to the Home and Community Based Services/Frail Elderly (HCBS/FE) waiver to provide older adults with dental services.
SHL Bill 2812 – Concerning Payday loans.
SHL Resolution 2813 – Urging the United States Congress to pass the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act.
SHL Bill 2814 – Concerning the Kansas Optimizing Health Program.
SHL Resolution 2816 – Recommending primary care physicians be required to acquire additional training or education in the area of mental health before affirmatively diagnosing elderly Kansans with dementia, Alzheimer’s or other memory-loss conditions.
The Silver Haired Legislature is a body of individuals age 60 and older who are elected by their peers to develop bills and resolutions that are of interest to Kansas seniors and their families. The Silver Haired Legislature will then work with the Kansas Legislature to get its bills and resolutions introduced and passed.
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The Kansas Department on Aging promotes the security, dignity and independence of Kansas seniors.