SESSION OF 2023
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2438
As Amended by House Committee on Federal
and State Affairs

Brief*
HB 2438, as amended, would remove references in
current emergency medical services (EMS) statutes to
persons holding the instructor-coordinator designation.
The bill would remove the definition of the term
“instructor-coordinator” and would remove provisions
concerning civil damages related to an instructor-
coordinator’s course of instruction.
The bill would also amend the definition of “healthcare
provider” to replace a reference to first aid courses taught by
an instructor-coordinator with first aid courses taught by the
Board of Emergency Medical Services (BEMS). The bill
would also clarify language in the definition to include
licensed physician assistants and would remove outdated
language related to required training and specified
examinations.
The bill would amend the statutory membership of the
BEMS to replace an instructor-coordinator member with a
member who is actively involved in teaching initial courses of
instruction for certification as an EMS provider.


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*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
http://www.kslegislature.org
Background
The bill was introduced by the House Committee on
Federal and State Affairs at the request of Representative
Eplee.

House Committee on Federal and State Affairs
In the House Committee hearing, a representative of the
BEMS provided proponent testimony, stating the bill would
eliminate unnecessary occupational licensing for instructor-
coordinators, especially for those who may hold a degree to
educate or who qualify as a subject matter expert. The
representative stated this bill would grant better access to
EMS education.
Neutral testimony was provided by a representative from
the Kansas Academy of Physician Assistants. The
representative indicated physician assistants no longer take a
national board examination through the American Board of
Medical Examiners to achieve licensure. The representative
stated the American Medical Association (AMA) formally
relinquished approval authority for Physician Assistant
education programs in 1988 and currently, the Accreditation
Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant
is the accrediting organization. The representative provided a
suggested amendment regarding outdated language
pertaining to the AMA and the national board examination
through the American Board of Medical Examiners.
No other testimony was provided.
On March 16, 2023, the House Committee amended the
bill to adopt the revisions suggested by the Kansas Academy
of Physician Assistants. The amendment would add licensed
physician assistant to the definition of healthcare provider and
remove outdated language related to examinations and
training that is no longer available to practitioners.

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Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, as introduced, the BEMS indicates
enactment of the bill would reduce revenues to the EMS
Operating Fund by $2,700 in FY 2024. Any fiscal effect
associated with enactment of the bill is not reflected in The
FY 2024 Governor’s Budget Report.
Emergency Medical Services; instructor-coordinator; certification; Kansas
Emergency Medical Service Board; Kansas Academy of Physician Assistants;
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistants; American
Medical Association; American Board of Medical Examiners; physician assistant


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Statutes affected:
As introduced: 65-2891, 65-6102, 65-6112, 65-6124, 65-6150
As Amended by House Committee: 65-2891, 65-6102, 65-6112, 65-6124, 65-6150