Topeka, KS - This week at the capital saw a lull in the action as the legislators recovered from turnaround week. Even so, some pretty hot topics that were heard in various committees.

Important Action in the House this Week!

This week saw several hearings in the House addressing gender transition surgeries on minors and workers' compensation for the Kansas National Guard.

HB 2792 - Gender Transition Surgeries on Minors

HB 2792 penalizes physicians for performing gender-affirming surgeries on minors. The bill directly forbids such surgeries, even labeling them “professional incompetency." As such, the bill renders gender transition surgeries on minors subject to professional discipline. HB 2792 had its hearing on Thursday in the Committee on Health and Human Services. We look forward to further updates in the upcoming weeks!

HB 2791 - The Forbidding Abusive Child Transitions Act

HB 2791, or the Forbidding Abusive Child Transitions Act, prohibits the use of state funds to aid in gender transition treatment for minors. Additionally, state-funded child psychologists may not advocate gender transition surgeries or medication for minors, nor may the state provide medical assistance for such surgeries. Under this bill, state-employed childcare workers, such as teachers, may not promote social transitioning or medical gender transitioning to minors. HB 2791 requires any health care provider to obtain informed consent from a minor's parents before discussing gender transition options, and the bill forbids all gender transition surgeries, except in cases of a verifiable physical sex disorder.

SB 430 - Workers' Compensation for the Kansas National Guard

On Thursday, February 29th, the House Committee on Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development recommended that SB 430 be passed by the Committee. This bill would provide changes to the workers' compensation act coverage for members of the Kansas National Guard. It would greatly increase certain categories of disabled individuals: giving them medical treatment, increasing lifetime benefits, and providing coverage.

Important Action in the Senate this Week!



In the Senate, many bills from the House and Senate were referred to different committees where they await their hearings, and a few new bills were introduced as well.

SB 469 - The Sunflower Education Equity Act

SB 469 would create the Sunflower Education Equity Act, which states that each child has unique educational needs and recognizes the parents' right to guide and determine the best educational setting for their child. This bill also establishes the Sunflower Education Equity Scholarship Fund for Kansas residents who are disabled or from low-income families. This fund could be used by qualified schools for tuition, textbooks, required supplies, educational therapy, tutoring, uniforms, and required fees.

SB 390 - The Conscientious Right to Refuse Act

SB 390 creates the Conscientious Right to Refuse Act. This act would remove the authority of the Secretary of Health and Environment to demand quarantines. SB 390 also criminalizes any form of discrimination against an individual who refuses a medical service or treatment.

Upcoming Action in the House

HB 2766 - The Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act

HB 2766, or the Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act, prohibits certain countries from investing in Kansas property. The act forbids companies, political entities, and citizens of historically hostile countries, meaning Venezuela, Cuba, China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran, from maintaining an interest in real property within a 150-mile radius of any military installations in Kansas. Persons and entities whose property fall into this category must divest that interest. HB 2766 will be heard in the Committee on Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development on Monday, March 4th at 1:30 p.m..

SB 359 - NEW Designated License Plates

On Wednesday, March 6th, SB 359 will be heard in the House Committee on Transportation. This bill would allow for the creation and distribution of five distinct license plates:

1. Kansas City Chiefs (Chiefs)
2. Sporting Kansas City (Sporting KC)
3. Sedgwick County Zoo (Zoo)
4. Kansas City Royals (Royals)
5. Kansas City Current (Current)

SB 359 would require that the vehicle owner apply to the plate's sponsor to renew registration and pay the required fees on an annual basis.

Upcoming Action in the Senate

HB 2675 will have a hearing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary on Wednesday, March 6th. This bill would allow nonparents to have the opportunity to claim visitation rights for a child in the custody of the state.

HB 2562 has a hearing scheduled in the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance on Wednesday, March 6th. This bill would establish an act to protect vulnerable adults from financial exploitations.

HB 2557 was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and has a hearing on Thursday, March 7th. This bill would amend and expand the meaning of peer support counseling session found in K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 60 - 473.

HB 2698 was passed out of the house and sent on to the Senate. Its hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5th in the Senate Committee on Judiciary. This bill would allow a juvenile criminal to leave a juvenile correctional facility for certain educational or career opportunities if approved.

Monday Night’s Meeting



We are excited about our next meeting to be held at David Kensinger's office on the fifth floor of 825 S. Kansas on Monday night, March 4th at 5 p.m.. Our guest speaker will be Brittany Jones from Kansas Family Voice. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Please check out the links below and contact your representative and senator with any ideas or concerns you may have.



Who is my rep/senator?

What does my district's map look like now? (Click on your rep, then map)

What committees are there, and who's on them?

Transparency, Evidence, and Resources

Website:

http://www.kslegislature.org

https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hr6030/

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