Topeka ? The House approved a bill on Thursday that would eliminate nursing home inspection reports from admissible evidence during a judicial proceeding.

The measure, HB 2306, was sent to the Senate on a 78-47 vote.

The bill is supported by the adult care home industry and insurance companies that have complained about the increase in insurance rates and lack of availability of nursing home liability insurance.

The industries said the inspection reports never were intended to be used as evidence in court proceedings, but instead as a way to bring facilities into compliance with state and federal laws.

The bill is opposed by advocates for nursing home patients and the disabled, AARP and the Kansas Trial Lawyers Assn.