SESSION OF 2023
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2284
As Amended by Senate Committee on Financial
Institutions and Insurance

Brief*
HB 2284, as amended, would amend law requiring
certain municipalities to pay for the premiums for the
continuation of insurance coverage under COBRA for the
surviving spouse and eligible dependent children of a
firefighter who dies in the line of duty. The bill would add “fire
district” to the definition of “municipality” to allow such districts
to be subject to this continuation of coverage requirement.
Under current law, the term “municipality” means a city,
county, or township. The law requires municipalities opting to
provide for the payment of health insurance premiums for its
firefighters to pay the premiums for continuation of coverage
for 18 months.
The bill would also make technical corrections, including
the removal of a term no longer included in the statute.
The bill would be in effect upon publication in the
Kansas Register.

Background
The bill was introduced by the House Committee on
Insurance at the request of the Kansas State Firefighters
Association (KSFFA).

____________________
*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
House Committee on Insurance
In the House Committee hearing, a KSFFA
representative provided proponent testimony, stating the bill
would correct an oversight and ensure all firefighters in
Kansas are eligible to draw on COBRA coverage, which
would make health insurance available to the spouse and
dependent children in the same manner as provided prior to
the line of duty death of a firefighter.
No other testimony was provided.
The House Committee recommended the bill be placed
on the Consent Calendar.

Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and
Insurance
In the Senate Committee hearing, proponent testimony
was provided by a KSFFA representative who stated the bill
would correct a COBRA statute to ensure that all eligible
firefighters in the state are able to draw on their COBRA
coverage as provided for in federal law.
No other testimony was provided.
The Senate Committee amended the bill to change its
effective date to upon publication in the Kansas Register.

Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, as introduced, the League of Kansas
Municipalities indicates the bill would have no fiscal effect.
Insurance; line of duty death; firefighters; continuation of coverage; COBRA
premiums; fire districts


2- 2284


Statutes affected:
As introduced: 40-1709, 74-3201b
As Amended by Senate Committee: 40-1709, 74-3201b
Enrolled: 79-201x, 79-1107, 79-1108, 79-32, 79-3603, 79-3603d, 79-3620, 79-3703, 79-3710