Local public health officials fear a Kansas bill would undercut work to contain diseases

The Kansas legislature is considering a bill that would strip powers from local public health officials to contain disease outbreaks.
Kansas Republican lawmakers want to take over powers from state and local public health officials to fight the spread of contagious diseases.

The Kansas Senate passed a bill to shift those powers from local health officials to state lawmakers last week. It now goes to the House. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a similar bill last year.

If the legislation became law, public health officials could still make recommendations on things like wearing masks and closing businesses. But only the Legislature would have the power to issue public health orders.