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Kansas lawmakers pass trio of crime bills dealing with juvenile justice, fentanyl
New bills passed in the last frenzied days of the legislative session would allow Kansans to seek potentially life-saving drug overdose treatment without fear of arrest, expand parameters for teenagers held in state custody and increase penalties for fentanyl-related crimes.
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MORe STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS
Kansas governor allows anti-DEI bill to become law, vetoes anti-abortion and election bills
In her latest round of vetoes, Gov. Laura Kelly on Friday announced she was rejecting bills that would restrict voting in the state and funnel tax dollars to anti-abortion centers.
Kansas lawmakers dangle $36 million for public universities to secure anti-DEI commitments
House and Senate budget negotiators agreed to anchor $36 million to a requirement that university administrators affirm they had abandoned diversity, equity and inclusion programs. KU could lose $8.35 million.
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoes ban on gender-identity health care, abortion coercion and survey bills
Gov. Laura Kelly flexed a veto pen to reject bills Friday prohibiting gender-identity health care for transgender youth, introducing a vague crime of coercing someone to have an abortion and more, certain to trigger veto override attempts.
Kansas pregnancy crisis center funding, anti-abortion measures sent to governor
Limited by the state’s constitutional protection of abortion, Kansas anti-abortion lawmakers have funneled more money into a program encouraging women to give birth, among other such focused measures sent to the governor.
Kansas Legislature brings gavel down on civil asset seizure powers of law enforcement
Before her death, Rep. Gail Finney ruffled state and local police officials and prosecutors by publicly denouncing as unjust the state law allowing civil asset seizure. The Legislature last week voted unanimously in favor of a bill reforming the law.
Kansas Board of Education agrees to expand Indigenous education outreach
The Kansas State Board of Education on Tuesday voted to expand Indigenous education outreach from the K-12 to college level, following debate that touched on mascots and political agendas.
Kansas Medicaid expansion debate to be revived when Legislature returns
In three weeks, senators will decide whether to give Medicaid expansion a full floor debate or block discussion of health insurance coverage for low-income Kansans for another year.