Advisory Bodies

Has the state established an advisory body for settlement funds?

Yes. State law established the Kansas Fights Addition (KFA) Grant Review Board (Board) to receive and consider applications for grants from the 50% “Kansas Fights Addiction Fund” share.[1] The KFA Grant Review Board is empowered to establish its own rules of operation, hold hearings, receive testimony, and seek additional information to carry out its work.[2]

Grant approvals require at least six votes from the 11-member Board.[3] When awarding grants, the Board must:[4]

• Ensure that no less than 1/8 of total funds granted each year are for services in each of Kansas’ congressional districts and are “supporting service[s] throughout the state”[5]

• Take “science and data-driven substance abuse prevention reduction, treatment[,] or mitigation strategies” into account[6]

• Consult with the Kansas Prescription Drug and Opioid Advisory Committee,[7] Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Insurance Department, and “other appropriate public and private entities” to promote coordination of efforts across the state[8]

• Consider the sustainability of programming once grant funds are depleted[9]

The KFA Grant Review Board is empowered to establish additional grant award conditions and may give preference to applicants that are not otherwise receiving opioid litigation funds or that expand drug treatment programs for certain individuals with criminal-legal system involvement.[10]

Meetings of the KFA Grant Review Board take place on the second Friday of each month.[11] Meeting minutes, planning documents, and information on awarded grants can be found on the KFA Grant Review Board’s website.[12] The Board’s current members are listed here.

Is the state advisory body required to include member(s) with lived and/or living experience?

No. The KFA Grant Review Board is not required to include a member with lived and/or living experience.

What is the overall membership of the state advisory body?

State law requires that the KFA Grant Review Board be composed of 11 members who “have expertise in prevention, reduction, treatment or mitigation of the effects of substance abuse and addiction.”[13] All members serve at the pleasure of their appointing authorities:[14]

• Member appointed by the state Attorney General, who serves as chair[15]

• Member appointed by the Governor[16]

• Four (4) members appointed by majority and minority leadership in each legislative chamber[17]

• Member appointed by the League of Kansas Municipalities[18]

• Member appointed by the Kansas Association of Counties[19]

• Member appointed by the Kansas County and District Attorneys Association[20]

• Member appointed by the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas[21]

• A member appointed by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board[22]

Are local governments required to establish a settlement advisory body? If so, are local advisory bodies required to include member(s) with lived and/or living experience?

No (up to each locality). Local governments in Kansas are not required to establish opioid settlement advisory bodies. However, localities may choose to establish advisory councils that include member(s) with lived and/or living experience to help ensure that settlement spending reflects community priorities.

What else should I know?

Not applicable.

Citations

1. Kan. Stat. Ann. Sec.75-778(b). ↑

2. Kan. Stat. Ann. Sec.75-778(b). ↑

3. Kan. Stat. Ann. Sec.75-778(b). ↑

4. Kan. Stat. Ann. Sec.75-778(c). ↑

5. Kan. Stat. Ann. Sec. 75-778(c)(1). ↑

6. Kan. Stat. Ann. Sec. 75-778(c)(2). ↑

7. This Committee, unlike the KFA Grant Review Board, is not explicitly tasked with opioid settlement-specific duties. See Kansas Prescription Drug & Opioid Advisory Committee. Kansas Department of Health and Environment Division of Public Health website. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“The Kansas Prescription Drug and Opioid Advisory Committee aims to increase education and awareness and prevent substance use and misuse disorders while connecting individuals who use drugs with treatment and wraparound services. The multidisciplinary stakeholder group is composed of state and local government, health systems, professional associations, community-based programs, academic institutions, public safety and first responders”). ↑
8. Kan. Stat. Ann. Sec. 75-778(c)(3). ↑

9. Kan. Stat. Ann. Sec. 75-778(c)(5). ↑

10. Kan. Stat. Ann. Secs. 75-778(c)(6)-(8). ↑

11. See, e.g., Kansas Fights Addiction Act Grant Review Board (“Upcoming Meetings”). Kansas Attorney General website. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑
12. As of September 1, 2024, the most recent posted minutes are from June 2023. ↑

13. Kan. Stat. Ann. Sec. 75-778(a). ↑

14. Kan. Stat. Ann. Sec. 75-778(a). ↑

15. Kan. Stat. Ann. Sec. 75-778(a)(1). ↑

16. Kan. Stat. Ann. Sec. 75-778(a)(2). ↑

17. Kan. Stat. Ann. Secs. 75-778(a)(3)-(6). Specifically, a member appointed by the President of the Senate, a member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, a member appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, and a member appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. ↑

18. Kan. Stat. Ann. Sec. 75-778(a)(7). ↑

19. Kan. Stat. Ann. Sec. 75-778(a)(8). ↑

20. Kan. Stat. Ann. Sec. 75-778(a)(9). ↑

21. Kan. Stat. Ann. Sec. 75-778(a)(10). ↑

22. Kan. Stat. Ann. Sec. 75-778(a)(11). ↑