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Important Action in the Senate this Week!
HB2436 - Crime of Coercion to Obtain an Abortion
Senate Substitute for HB2436 was passed by the Senate on Wednesday, March 27th, 27 to 11. This bill creates the crime of coercion to obtain an abortion and criminalizes the act doing so. After a long journey, full of hearings and debate, this bill now awaits the governor’s signature.
HB2749 - Reporting Reasons for Abortion
HB2749 passed in the Senate with a vote of 27 to 13 on Tuesday, March 26th. The debate was long and heated, but the Senate Republicans did not back down. Now the bill awaits the Governor’s signature. This bill approaches the pro-life issue from a different tactic by investigating the reasoning behind abortions. HB2749 requires that medical care centers list the main reason, such as lack of familial or marital support, for each abortion performed. These reasons will be included in a public biannual report and can be used to reduce outside motivations for abortion.
HB2703 - Eligibility for at-risk Programs
With a vote of 40 to 0, the Senate passed HB2703 on Tuesday, March 26th. This bill makes children in the care of the state eligible for at-risk educational programs and services. By adding foster children to the list of eligible students, HB2703 provides additional educational resources to students who are going through a difficult period.
HB2665 - Leaving the Scene of a Deadly Accident
The Senate passed HB2665 this week on March 26th as amended by the senators. This bill penalizes drivers who leave the scene of an accident that results in injury or death. According to the bill, abandoning the scene of an accident that causes a fatality is classified as a severity level 3, person felony. The House then concurred with the amendments made by the Senate on March 27th.
HB2583 - Protecting Emergency Service Animals
On Wednesday, March 27th, the Senate passed HB2583, or the K9 bill. This bill protects animals serving our state, such as police horses and rescue dogs, by increasing the penalties for harming them. According to the bill, such actions will result in at least 90 days’ imprisonment and a minimum fine of $10,000, along with the completion of an anger management program, a psychological evaluation, veterinary expenses, funeral expenses, replacement prices, and other associated costs.
HB2690 - Contracting With 911 Services
HB2690 was passed by the Senate on Wednesday, March 27th. This bill allows counties to contract with surrounding counties for the use of emergency services. Additionally, it would create the State 911 Board. This bill will largely help smaller counties who don't have immediate access to emergency medical services.
HB2446 - No Restrictions on Plastic
The Senate passed HB2446 on Wednesday, March 27th, with a vote of 24 to 16. This bill prohibits municipalities from putting taxes, restrictions, or regulations on plastic used for food or beverages, transportation, consumption, containers, or protection of merchandise.
HB2628 - Transparency in the Case of a Child's Death
HB2628 was passed by the Senate on Wednesday, March 27th. This bill would require that the Secretary for Children and Families release specific information concerning the fatality of a child deemed in need of care. This information would be given in response to an open records request when criminal charges are filed that allege a person is responsible for the child’s death.
HB2536 - The SOUL Family Legal Permanency Option
The Senate passed HB2536 on Wednesday, March 27th, with a vote of 40 to 0. This bill would create the SOUL family legal permanency option for children in the state’s care who are 16 or older. This appointment could be made upon the approval of the child, the consent of the child’s parents (unless those rights have been terminated), and the agreement of the court.
HB2675 - Uniform Nonparent Visitation Act
On Wednesday, March 27th, the Senate passed HB2675, which would enact the Uniform Nonparent Visitation Act. This bill was passed out of the House on Thursday, February 22nd, and would allow individuals who do not have guardianship of a child in the custody of the state to have the opportunity to claim visitation rights with that child.
SB367 - The Use of US funds for Elections
With a vote of 28 to 12, the Senate passed SB367 on Wednesday, March 27th. This bill amends the Transparency in Revenues Underwriting Elections Act by prohibiting the use of US funds for elections or election related activities.
SB544 - The Kansas Academic Excellence Scholarship Program
SB544 was passed by the Senate on Wednesday, March 27th. This bill creates the Kansas Academic Excellence Scholarship Program, which replaces the Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship Program. To be eligible for the program you must be a resident of Kansas, be accepted for admission or enrolled full-time in an educational program at an eligible institution, have established financial need, and be either a first generation college student or previously qualified for a Kansas Education Opportunity Scholarship.
HB2618 - False Representation of an Election Official
The Senate passed HB2618 on Wednesday, March 27th. This bill amends current legislation forbidding the false representation of an election official to include specific intent. The previous law was said to be too broad; thus, the bill clarified that false representation of an election official would include the intent to cause one to believe that they are interacting with an election official.
HB2491 - The Law Enforcement Training Center Fund
On Wednesday, March 27th, the Senate passed HB2491 with a vote of 40 to 0. This bill established the law enforcement training center fund. Current law has law enforcement training centers receiving their funds by surcharges on vehicle registration, municipal court filing fees, and docket fees. With this bill in place, the law enforcement would receive the necessary funds directly from the State General Fund.
House Substitute for SB233 - Gender Affirming Care on Minors
Both the House and the Senate have passed H Sub for SB233 and concurred on amendments made in both chambers. This bill protects Kansas youth by prohibiting state-funded medical entities and personnel from encouraging gender-affirming medication or surgery. Under this bill, state aid would not be used for gender-affirming surgeries or medications. Additionally, the bill forbids physicians in Kansas from providing such procedures and medications to minors.
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