History: L. 1973, ch. 308, § 1; July 1, 1974.
(b) The "practice of mental health technology" means the performance, under the direction of a physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery or registered professional nurse, of services in caring for and treatment of the mentally ill, emotionally disturbed, or mentally retarded for compensation or personal profit, which services:
(1) Involve responsible nursing and therapeutic procedures for mentally ill or mentally retarded patients requiring interpersonal and technical skills in the observations and recognition of symptoms and reactions of such patients, the accurate recording of such symptoms and reactions and the carrying out of treatments and medications as prescribed by a licensed physician or a mid-level practitioner as defined in subsection (ii) of K.S.A. 65-1626 and amendments thereto; and
(2) require an application of techniques and procedures that involve understanding of cause and effect and the safeguarding of life and health of the patient and others; and
(3) require the performance of duties that are necessary to facilitate rehabilitation of the patient or are necessary in the physical, therapeutic and psychiatric care of the patient and require close work with persons licensed to practice medicine and surgery, psychiatrists, psychologists, rehabilitation therapists, social workers, registered nurses, and other professional personnel.
(c) A "licensed mental health technician" means a person who lawfully practices mental health technology as defined in this act.
(d) An "approved course in mental health technology" means a program of training and study including a basic curriculum which shall be prescribed and approved by the board in accordance with the standards prescribed herein, the successful completion of which shall be required before licensure as a mental health technician, except as hereinafter provided.
History: L. 1973, ch. 308, § 2; L. 1988, ch. 259, § 1; L. 1992, ch. 151, § 3; L. 1999, ch. 115, § 17; Apr. 1, 2000.
(1) Have graduated from a high school accredited by the appropriate legal accrediting agency or has obtained the equivalent of a high school education, as determined by the state department of education;
(2) have satisfactorily completed an approved course of mental health technology; and
(3) file with the board a written application for a license.
(b) The board may issue a license to an applicant to practice as a mental health technician who has:
(1) Met the qualifications set forth in subsection (a);
(2) passed a written examination in mental health technology as prescribed and conducted by the board; and
(3) no disqualifying factors under K.S.A. 65-4209 and amendments thereto.
(c) Licensure examination within 24 months of graduation. (1) Persons who do not take the licensure examination within 24 months after graduation shall petition the board for permission prior to taking the licensure examination. The board may require the applicant to submit and complete a plan of study prior to taking the licensure examination.
(2) Persons who are unsuccessful in passing the licensure examination within 24 months after graduation shall petition the board for permission prior to subsequent attempts. The board may require the applicant to submit and complete a plan of study prior to taking the licensure examination a subsequent time. The study plan shall contain subjects related to deficiencies identified on the failed examination profiles.
(d) An application for initial licensure will be held awaiting completion of meeting qualifications for a time period specified in rules and regulations.
(e) Refresher course. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), an applicant for a license to practice as a mental health technician who has not been licensed to practice as a mental health technician for five years preceding application shall be required to successfully complete a refresher course as defined by the board in rules and regulations.
(f) The board may issue a one-time temporary permit to practice as a mental health technician for a period not to exceed 120 days when a reinstatement application has been made.
(g) Exempt license. The board may issue an exempt license to any licensee as defined in rules and regulations who makes written application for such license on a form provided by the board, who remits a fee as established pursuant to K.S.A. 65-4208 and amendments thereto and who is not regularly engaged in mental health technician practice in Kansas but volunteers mental health technician service or is a charitable health care provider as defined by K.S.A. 75-6102 and amendments thereto. Each exempt licensee shall be subject to all provisions of the mental health technician act, except as otherwise provided in this subsection (e). Each exempt license may be renewed biennially subject to the provisions of this section. The holder of the exempt license shall not be required to submit evidence of satisfactory completion of a program of continuing education for renewal. To convert an exempt license to an active license, the exempt licensee shall meet all the requirements of subsection (b) or K.S.A. 65-4205 and amendments thereto. The board shall have authority to write rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.
(h) The board may adopt rules and regulations as necessary to administer the mental health technician's licensure act.
History: L. 1973, ch. 308, § 3; L. 1975, ch. 333, § 1; L. 1983, ch. 207, § 5; L. 1987, ch. 247, § 1; L. 1992, ch. 151, § 4; L. 1993, ch. 194, § 17; L. 1995, ch. 97, § 4; L. 1997, ch. 158, § 8; L. 1999, ch. 84, § 4; L. 2001, ch. 161, § 11; July 1.
History: L. 1973, ch. 308, § 4; July 1, 1974.
Except for the first renewal for a license that expires within 30 months following licensure examination or for renewal of a license that expires within the first nine months following licensure by reinstatement or endorsement, every licensee with an active mental health technology license shall submit with the renewal application evidence of satisfactory completion of a program of continuing education required by the board. The board by duly adopted rules and regulations shall establish the requirements for such program of continuing education. Continuing education means learning experiences intended to build upon the educational and experiential bases of the licensed mental health technician for the enhancement of practice, education, administration, research or theory development to the end of improving the health of the public.
Upon receipt of such application and evidence of satisfactory completion of the required program of continuing education and upon being satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements set forth in K.S.A. 65-4203 and amendments thereto in effect at the time of initial licensure of the applicant, the board shall verify the accuracy of the application and grant a renewal license.
(b) Any licensee who fails to secure a renewal license within the time specified may secure a reinstatement of such lapsed license by making verified application therefor on a form prescribed by the board together with the prescribed reinstatement fee and, satisfactory evidence as required by the board that the applicant is presently competent and qualified to perform the responsibilities of a mental health technician and of satisfying all the requirements for reinstatement. A reinstatement application for licensure will be held awaiting completion of such documentation as may be required, but such application shall not be held for a period of time in excess of that specified in rules and regulations.
(c) (1) Each licensee shall notify the board in writing of (A) a change in name or address within 30 days of the change or (B) a conviction of any felony or misdemeanor, that is specified in rules and regulations adopted by the board, within 30 days from the date the conviction becomes final.
(2) As used in this subsection, "conviction" means a final conviction without regard to whether the sentence was suspended or probation granted after such conviction. Also, for the purposes of this subsection, a forfeiture of bail, bond or collateral deposited to secure a defendant's appearance in court, which forfeiture has not been vacated, shall be equivalent to a conviction. Failure to so notify the board shall not constitute a defense in an action relating to failure to renew a license, nor shall it constitute a defense in any other proceeding.
History: L. 1973, ch. 308, § 5; L. 1983, ch. 207, § 6; L. 1993, ch. 194, § 18; L. 1995, ch. 97, § 5; L. 1997, ch. 146, § 3; L. 2007, ch. 99, § 4; July 1.
(1) Basic nursing concepts;
(2) psychiatric therapeutic treatment; and
(3) human growth, development and behavioral sciences.
(b) An institution which intends to offer a course on mental health technology shall apply to the board for approval and submit evidence that the institution is prepared to and will maintain the standards and curriculum as prescribed by this act and the rules and regulations of the board. The application shall be made in writing upon a form prescribed by the board with the application fee fixed by the board by rules and regulations.
(c) The approval of a school of mental health technology shall expire five years after the granting of such approval by the board. An institution desiring to continue to conduct a course of mental health technology shall apply to the board for the renewal of approval and submit satisfactory proof that the institution will maintain the standards and the basic mental health technology curriculum as prescribed by this act and the rules and regulations of the board. Applications for renewal of approval shall be made in writing on forms supplied by the board. Each institution offering a course of mental health technology shall submit annually to the board an annual fee fixed by the board by rules and regulations to maintain approval status.
(d) Providers of continuing education. (1) To qualify as an approved provider of continuing education offerings, persons, organizations or institutions proposing to provide such continuing education offerings shall apply to the board for approval and submit evidence that the applicant is prepared to meet the standards and requirements established by the rules and regulations of the board for such continuing education offerings. Initial applications shall be made in writing on forms supplied by the board and shall be submitted to the board together with the application fee fixed by the board.
(2) A long-term provider means a person, organization or institution that is responsible for the development, administration and evaluation of continuing education programs and offerings. Qualification as a long-term approved provider of continuing education offerings shall expire five years after the granting of such approval by the board. An approved long-term provider of continuing education offerings shall submit annually to the board the annual fee established by rules and regulations, along with an annual report for the previous fiscal year. Applications for renewal as an approved long-term provider of continuing education offerings shall be made in writing on forms supplied by the board.
(3) Qualification as an approved provider of a single continuing education offering, which may be offered once or multiple times, shall expire two years after the granting of such approval by the board. Approved single continuing education providers shall not be subject to an annual fee or annual report.
(4) In accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the board, the board may approve individual educational offerings for continuing education which shall not be subject to approval under other subsections of this section.
(5) The board shall accept offerings as approved continuing education presented by: Colleges that are approved by a state or the national department of education and providers approved by other state boards of nursing, the national league for nursing, the national federation of licensed practical nurses, the American nurses credentialing center or other such national organizations as listed in rules and regulations adopted by the board.
History: L. 1973, ch. 308, § 6; L. 1992, ch. 151, § 5; L. 1997, ch. 146, § 4; May 8.
(b) A survey of the proposed course and of the institution applying for accreditation of the course on mental health technology shall be made by an authorized employee of the board or members of the board who shall submit a written report concerning such study. The board may contract with investigative agencies, commissions or consultants to assist the board in obtaining information about such course and institution. In entering such contracts the authority to approve such courses shall remain solely with the board.
(c) If, in the opinion of the board, the requirements as prescribed in its rules and regulations for approved courses of mental health technology are met, it shall approve the application and course and post evidence of such approval upon the master list. From time to time, as deemed necessary, the board shall cause to be made a resurvey of approved courses and shall have written reports of such resurvey submitted. If the board determines that any previously approved course is not maintaining the content required by this act and by the rules and regulations prescribed, a notice thereof shall be given immediately to the institution specifying the nature and extent of the deficiency. A failure to correct such condition or conditions to the satisfaction of the board within one year following the notice shall cause the course to be removed from the master list of approved courses on mental health technology. Personnel conducting approved courses shall maintain accurate and current records showing in full the theoretical and practical instruction given to all students.
History: L. 1973, ch. 308, § 7; L. 1983, ch. 207, § 9; L. 1988, ch. 243, § 11; July 1.
(1) Mental health technician programs:
Annual renewal of program approval.................$110
Survey of a new program.................220
Application for approval of continuing education providers.................200
Annual fee for continuing education providers.................75
(2) Mental health technicians:
Application for license.................$50
Application for renewal of license.................60
Application for reinstatement.................70
Application for reinstatement of license with temporary permit.................75
Certified copy of license.................12
Duplicate of license.................12
Inactive license.................20
Examination.................40
Reexamination.................40
Verification of current Kansas license to other states.................11
Application for exempt license.................50
Application for biennial renewal of exempt license.................50
(b) The board shall accept for payment of fees under this section personal checks, certified checks, cashier's checks, money orders or credit cards. The board may designate other methods of payment, but shall not refuse payment in the form of a personal check. The board may impose additional fees and recover any costs incurred by reason of payments made by personal checks with insufficient funds and payments made by credit cards.
History: L. 1973, ch. 308, § 8; L. 1980, ch. 188, § 3; L. 1983, ch. 207, § 7; L. 1988, ch. 260, § 1; L. 1992, ch. 135, § 6; L. 1997, ch. 158, § 9; L. 1999, ch. 84, § 6; Apr. 22.
(1) Is guilty of fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a license to practice mental health technology;
(2) is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety due to current abuse of drugs or alcohol;
(3) to be a person who has been adjudged in need of a guardian or conservator, or both, under the act for obtaining a guardian or conservator, or both, and who has not been restored to capacity under that act;
(4) is incompetent or grossly negligent in carrying out the functions of a mental health technician;
(5) has committed unprofessional conduct as defined by rules and regulations of the board;
(6) has been convicted of a felony or has been convicted of a misdemeanor involving an illegal drug offense, unless the applicant or licensee establishes sufficient rehabilitation to warrant the public trust, except that notwithstanding K.S.A. 74-120 no license, certificate of qualification or authorization to practice as a licensed mental health technician shall be granted to a person with a felony conviction for a crime against persons as specified in article 34 of chapter 21 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated and acts amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto;
(7) has committed an act of professional incompetency as defined in subsection (e);
(8) to have willfully or repeatedly violated the provisions of the mental health technician's licensure act or rules and regulations adopted under that act and amendments thereto; or
(9) to have a license to practice mental health technology denied, revoked, limited or suspended, or to be publicly or privately censured, by a licensing authority of another state, agency of the United States government, territory of the United States or country or to have other disciplinary action taken against the applicant or licensee by a licensing authority of another state, agency of the United States government, territory of the United States or country. A certified copy of the record or order of public or private censure, denial, suspension, limitation, revocation or other disciplinary action of the licensing authority of another state, agency of the United States government, territory of the United States or country shall constitute prima facie evidence of such a fact for purposes of this paragraph (9).
(b) Upon filing a sworn complaint with the board charging a person with having been guilty of any of the unlawful practices specified in subsection (a), two or more members of the board shall investigate the charges, or the board may designate and authorize an employee or employees of the board to conduct an investigation. After investigation, the board may institute charges. If an investigation, in the opinion of the board, reveals reasonable grounds to believe the applicant or licensee is guilty of the charges, the board shall fix a time and place for proceedings, which shall be conducted in accordance with the Kansas administrative procedure act.
(c) No person shall be excused from testifying in any proceedings before the board under the mental health technician's licensure act or in any civil proceedings under such act before a court of competent jurisdiction on the ground that the testimony may incriminate the person testifying, but such testimony shall not be used against the person for the prosecution of any crime under the laws of this state except the crime of perjury as defined in K.S.A. 21-3805 and amendments thereto.
(d) If final agency action of the board in a proceeding under this section is adverse to the applicant or licensee, the costs of the board's proceedings shall be charged to the applicant or licensee as in ordinary civil actions in the district court, but if the board is the unsuccessful party, the costs shall be paid by the board. Witness fees and costs may be taxed by the board according to the statutes relating to procedure in the district court. All costs accrued by the board, when it is the successful party, and which the attorney general certifies cannot be collected from the applicant or licensee shall be paid from the board of nursing fee fund. All moneys collected following board proceedings shall be credited in full to the board of nursing fee fund.
(e) As used in this section, "professional incompetency" means:
(1) One or more instances involving failure to adhere to the applicable standard of care to a degree which constitutes gross negligence, as determined by the board;
(2) repeated instances involving failure to adhere to the applicable standard of care to a degree which constitutes ordinary negligence, as determined by the board; or
(3) a pattern of practice or other behavior which demonstrates a manifest incapacity or incompetence to practice mental health technology.
(f) The board upon request shall receive from the Kansas bureau of investigation such criminal history record information relating to criminal convictions as necessary for the purpose of determining initial and continuing qualifications of licensees of and applicants for licensure by the board.
(g) All proceedings under this section shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Kansas administrative procedure act.
History: L. 1973, ch. 308, § 9; L. 1983, ch. 207, § 8; L. 1984, ch. 313, § 129; L. 1987, ch. 247, § 2; L. 1993, ch. 194, § 5; L. 1995, ch. 97, § 6; L. 1997, ch. 158, § 10; July 1.
(b) The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Kansas administrative procedure act. If the accused mental health technician is found guilty of the charges, or any of them, the board may withhold, revoke, or suspend an existing license, or otherwise discipline a licensee as provided in this act. A revoked or suspended license may be reissued thereafter by the board in its discretion.
(c) Any meeting of the board may be adjourned or continued by an affirmative vote of a majority of the board members present at the hearing or meeting.
History: L. 1973, ch. 308, § 10; L. 1983, ch. 216, § 2; L. 1984, ch. 313, § 130; July 1, 1985.
(b) Any party may have review of the final judgment or decision of the district court by appeal to the supreme court pursuant to the act for judicial review and civil enforcement of agency actions.
History: L. 1973, ch. 308, § 11; L. 1984, ch. 313, § 131; July 1, 1985.
(b) The practice of mental health technology by students enrolled in approved courses of mental health technology;
(c) The practice of mental health technology by graduates of an approved course in mental health technology who are practicing as mental health technicians pending the results of the first licensing examination scheduled by the board following graduation;
(d) Practice by short-term trainees exploring the practice of mental health technology as a prospective vocation;
(e) Service conducted in accordance with the practice of the tenets of any religious denomination in which persons of good faith rely solely upon spiritual means or prayer in the exercise of their religion to prevent or cure disease;
(f) The practice of any legally qualified mental health technician of this state or another who is employed by the United States government of any bureau, division or agency thereof, while in the discharge of official duties;
(g) Temporary assistance in the therapeutic care of patients where adequate medical, nursing, and/or other supervision is provided;
(h) Subsidiary workers in hospitals or related institutions from assisting in the nursing care of patients where adequate medical and nursing supervision is provided; and
(i) The employment of psychiatric aides who have received at least three months instruction in an approved basic aide training program and who work under the supervision of licensed personnel.
History: L. 1973, ch. 308, § 12; L. 1976, ch. 281, § 1; July 1.
History: L. 1973, ch. 308, § 13; July 1, 1974.
(1) Fraudulently obtain, sell, transfer, or furnish any mental health technician diploma, license, renewal of license or record, or aid or abet another therein;
(2) advertise, represent, or hold oneself out in any manner as a mental health technician or to practice as a mental health technician without having a license to so practice issued under the mental health technician's licensure act, except as provided in K.S.A. 65-4212 and amendments thereto;
(3) use in connection with one's name any designation intending to imply that such person is a licensed mental health technician without having such license issued as herein provided;
(4) practice as a mental health technician during the time such person's license is suspended or revoked;
(5) otherwise violate any of the provisions of the mental health technician's licensure act; or
(6) represent that a provider of continuing education is approved for educating mental health technicians, unless the provider of continuing education has been approved by the board and the approval is in full force.
(b) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a class B misdemeanor, except that, upon conviction of a second or subsequent violation of this section, such person is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
History: L. 1973, ch. 308, § 14; L. 1993, ch. 194, § 6; July 1.
History: L. 1973, ch. 308, § 15; July 1, 1974.
(1) Every employer of a mental health technician shall report under oath to the board of nursing any information such employer has which appears to show that a mental health technician has committed an act which may be a ground for disciplinary action pursuant to K.S.A. 65-4209, and amendments thereto, or that the employer has taken disciplinary action against a mental health technician for committing any such act or has accepted the resignation of a mental health technician in lieu of taking disciplinary action therefor.
(2) Every health care provider shall report under oath to the board of nursing any information such health care provider has which appears to show that a mental health technician has committed an act which may be a ground for disciplinary action pursuant to K.S.A. 65-4209, and amendments thereto.
(3) Any person, other than those persons specified in provisions (1) and (2), may report under oath to the board of nursing any information such person has which appears to show that a mental health technician has committed an act which may be a ground for disciplinary action pursuant to K.S.A. 65-4209, and amendments thereto.
(b) Any medical care facility which fails to report within 30 days after the receipt of information required to be reported by this section shall be reported by the board of nursing to the secretary of health and environment and shall be subject, after proper notice and an opportunity to be heard, to a civil fine assessed by the secretary of health and environment in an amount not exceeding $1,000 per day for each day thereafter that the incident is not reported. All fines assessed and collected under this section shall be remitted to the state treasurer in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 75-4215, and amendments thereto. Upon receipt of each such remittance, the state treasurer shall deposit the entire amount in the state treasury to the credit of the state general fund.
(c) As used in this section:
(1) "Medical care facility" has the meaning provided by K.S.A. 65-4921, and amendments thereto.
(2) "Health care provider" has the meaning provided by K.S.A. 65-4921, and amendments thereto.
History: L. 1983, ch. 216, § 1; L. 1988, ch. 236, § 6; L. 2001, ch. 5, § 255; July 1.
(b) Any state, regional or local association of licensed mental health technicians, and the individual members of any committee thereof, which in good faith investigates or communicates information to the board of nursing or to any committee or agent thereof pertaining to the alleged commission by a mental health technician of an act which may be a ground for disciplinary action pursuant to K.S.A. 65-4209 and amendments thereto shall be immune from liability in any civil action that is based upon such information or transmittal of information if the investigation and communication were made in good faith and did not represent as true any matter not reasonably believed to be true.
History: L. 1983, ch. 216, § 3; L. 1988, ch. 236, § 7; July 1.