TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A promise from Kansas health officials to continue protecting people with AIDS and HIV from being quarantined has resolved a dispute over legislation designed to help medical personnel and emergency workers.
Kansas Equality Coalition executive director Tom Witt said Thursday the group can accept the bill following the pledge from the Department of Health and Environment.
The bill directs KDHE to draft rules making it easier for medical personnel and emergency workers to learn whether they’ve been exposed to infectious diseases.
Part of the bill repeals a 1988 law specifically barring health officials from quarantining people with AIDS and HIV.
But KDHE promised its rules will continue such a ban.
The issue arose as legislative negotiators drafted a final version of the bill, so both chambers can vote on it.
