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Transgender Kansans had their IDs invalidated overnight, causing confusion and panic
Some transgender Kansans received letters urging them to request new IDs that conflict with their gender identity and presentation, because their current ones are “invalid immediately.” It’s the result of a new law that also regulates which bathrooms transgender people are allowed to use.
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TOP TAGS
Civil rights • Voter rights • Anti-trans legislation • Abortion • Immigration • Municipalities’ local control • Kansas State Board of Education
MORe KANSAS NEWS
‘August was not a fluke’: Kansas advocates warn against raft of bills limiting reproductive rights
Kansas is one of the few states left in the region that protects abortion rights. Unable to change state constitutional protections, some lawmakers are now doing their best to discourage abortion through a slew of legislation instead.
Sparks fly when Kansas House budget panel explores detail of university budget requests
The Kansas House’s budget committee delivered bipartisan condemnation Monday of unusual $3 million payouts to Emporia State, Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State universities intended to stabilize operating budgets during a period of enrollment decline and rising costs.
Critics of Kansas bills blocking transgender medical care to minors tossed from House hearing
Kansas House Rep. Brenda Landwehr kicked the first person out of Thursday’s hearing on anti-transgender legislation for cradling a protest sign in the room.
A Kansas senator heard debate on an anti-trans bill after short notice for the public to prepare
Kansas advocates for trans rights spoke out Thursday against Republicans’ latest attempt at restricting access to gender-affirming care and criticized a state senator for giving short notice on a hearing to those who would be most affected if the proposal becomes law.
Kansas Republicans introduce new anti-abortion bills, including prison time for ‘coercion’
House and Senate Republicans — in their latest attempts to weaken the state’s constitutional right to bodily autonomy — have introduced legislation to require prison time for coercing a pregnant person into getting an abortion and to mandate ultrasounds before terminating a pregnancy.
New estimate predicts Medicaid expansion would serve 152K at no cost to state
The Kansas Health Institute on Thursday unveiled its analysis of Gov. Laura Kelly’s proposal to expand Medicaid, predicting 152,000 Kansans would enroll in the first year with no additional cost to the state government.
DEI audit of state universities shows $9M in state funds spent widely
An audit instigated because of Republican suspicion over state public universities’ equity programs found the programs used $9 million in state dollars during the 2022-2023 school year.
These ethanol plants want to bury CO2 in Kansas to cut their carbon footprints
Kansas has three carbon dioxide pipelines. Next, it could get two carbon sequestration wells, linked to ethanol plants. Here’s what we know.
Voting rights groups ask Kansas Supreme Court to block law they say impedes voter registration
A Kansas law that makes it a crime to impersonate an election official unconstitutionally interferes with voter outreach efforts, voting rights groups told the state Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Kansas House bill invites chaplains to deliver Godly counseling to public school students, staff
Rep. Bill Rhiley proposed the Kansas House pass a bill granting public school districts the opportunity to hire unlicensed chaplains to serve as trusted Biblical advisors and counselors to students, teachers and staff in school buildings.
KHP, KDOT laud Senate bill altering ‘move-over’ law to cover all vehicles along Kansas roads
A Kansas Senate bill would amend the state law to require motorists to move over a lane or significantly slow down when passing any vehicles stopped on the side of a road with signs of distress, not just emergency responder vehicles.
Kansas Senate eager to alter state laws on internet porn, death benefit, train travel
The Kansas Senate voted to support a 50% increase in the lump-sum death payment for retirees in KPERS and elevation to 20% the maximum amount of the pension system’s portfolio tied to alternative private equity or infrastructure investments.
Kansas lawmakers want school library books rated for ‘appropriateness’
Though he wouldn’t name the specific books, Rep. Adam Thomas knows objectionable material lurks on the shelves of Kansas’ public school libraries.
Kansas bill would require abortion seekers be asked for reasons before terminating pregnancy
Kansas abortion providers would have to ask patients why they are terminating pregnancies under legislation critics argue represents an effort to “harass, intimidate and shame” abortion seekers.
Lawmakers talk banning soft drinks, candy for Kansans receiving food assistance
Legislation that would prevent Kansans from purchasing soft drinks and candy with food stamps met resistance Tuesday, continuing a series of hearings over what changes are needed to help the state’s most vulnerable residents.
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