79-4805. Problem gambling and addictions grant fund; purpose; authorized expenditures; annual report. (a) There is hereby established in the state treasury the problem gambling and addictions grant fund. All moneys credited to such fund shall be used only for the awarding of grants under this section. Such fund shall be administered in accordance with this section and the provisions of appropriation acts.

(b) All expenditures from the problem gambling and addictions grant fund shall be made in accordance with appropriation acts upon warrants of the director of accounts and reports issued pursuant to vouchers approved in the manner prescribed by law.

(c) (1) There is hereby established a state grant program to provide assistance for the direct treatment of persons diagnosed as suffering from pathological gambling and to provide funding for research, prevention and recovery for the residents of Kansas. Research grants awarded under this section may include, but need not be limited to, grants for determining the effectiveness of education and prevention efforts on the prevalence of pathological gambling in Kansas. All grants shall be made after open solicitation of proposals and evaluation of proposals against criteria established in rules and regulations adopted by the secretary of the Kansas department for aging and disability services. Both public and private entities shall be eligible to apply for and receive grants under the provisions of this section. The secretary shall ensure that an adequate problem gambling treatment services network is available in Kansas to individuals seeking treatment for a pathological gambling disorder.

(2) Moneys in the problem gambling and addictions grant fund shall be used:

(A) To fund a helpline with text messaging and chat capabilities; and

(B) for the treatment, research, education or prevention of pathological gambling.

(3) Moneys in the problem gambling and addictions grant fund that are not used for the purposes described in paragraph (2) shall be used to treat alcoholism, drug abuse, other addictive behaviors and other co-occurring behavioral health disorders.

(d) The secretary for aging and disability services is hereby authorized to receive moneys from any grants, gifts, contributions or bequests made for the purpose of funding grants under this section and to expend such moneys for the purpose for which received.

(e)* All grants made in accordance with this section shall be made from the problem gambling and addictions grant fund. The secretary shall administer the provisions of this section and shall adopt rules and regulations establishing criteria for qualification to receive grants and such other matters deemed necessary by the secretary for the administration of this section. Such rules and regulations shall include, but need not be limited to, a requirement that each recipient of a grant to provide treatment for pathological gamblers report at least annually to the secretary the grantee's measurable achievement of specific outcome goals.

(f) On or before January 15, 2023, and each January 15 thereafter, the secretary for aging and disability services shall prepare and submit a report on expenditures from the problem gambling and addictions grant fund to the standing committees on federal and state affairs of the senate and house of representatives.

(g) For the purpose of this section "pathological gambling" means the disorder by that name described in the most recent edition of the American psychiatric association's diagnostic and statistical manual.

(e) The problem gambling and addictions grant fund and any other moneys transferred pursuant to this section shall be used for the purposes set forth in this section and for no other governmental purposes. It is the intent of the legislature that the funds and the moneys deposited in this fund shall remain intact and inviolate for the purposes set forth in this section.

History: L. 2000, ch. 173, § 20; L. 2007, ch. 110, § 55; L. 2014, ch. 115, § 435; L. 2022, ch. 91, § 42; July 1.

* This subsection (e) should have been designated as subsection (h).