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Proposed bill bans gender changes on Kansas driver’s licenses, birth certificates
A bill that would ban gender changes on Kansas driver’s licenses and birth certificates drew hundreds of opponent comments despite appearing on a committee agenda just 24 hours before the Tuesday hearing.
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Civil rights • Voter rights • Anti-trans legislation • Abortion • Immigration • Municipalities’ local control • Kansas State Board of Education
MORe STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS
Kansans woke up to dozens of new state laws delving into crime, gender, guns and food
The roster of 77 laws that became effective Saturday delve into abortion, concealed guns, elections, clergy abuse, public health, retirement investments, food stamps, transgender rights, water, smoking, utilities and sports.
Voting rights case sent to Kansas Supreme Court, challenging 2021 election law
The Kansas Supreme Court will review portions of a voting rights lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of mandates created in 2021 in response to election fraud conspiracy theories.
Kobach says trans Kansans’ IDs will be changed back to their sex assigned at birth
Transgender Kansans who legally changed the gender on their drivers’ licenses or birth certificates will soon see them changed back by the state, Attorney General Kris Kobach said.
Kansas may be outlier in national decrease in abortions since Dobbs decision
In Kansas, where abortion rights are still protected, a surge is predicted for the 2022 year due to out-of-state abortion seekers.
Kobach and Kansas clinics agree to delay enforcement of ‘abortion pill reversal’ law
Kansas will not enforce its new “abortion pill reversal” law, set to take effect July 1, until a court rules on abortion providers’ request for a temporary injunction.
KBI says white powder in letters sent to lawmakers tests negative for ‘biological agents’
Approximately 100 letters targeting Republican legislators and public officials that contain a suspicious white powder had been received as of Sunday.
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
Lawrence activists draft ordinance against anti-trans bill; attorney prepares for legal battle
Lawrence activists are working on multifaceted approaches to stand against multiple Kansas laws targeting transgender and gender-nonconforming people — including drafting a “safe haven” city ordinance.
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
Panelists challenge gender norms, address fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Kansas
Though many LGBTQ+ people and others may leave the state of Kansas repulsed by legislation targeting gender diversity, Adam Kellogg said he’ll have to be dragged out by his ears. “I will not stop fighting for the kids that can’t leave,” he said.
Kansas lawmakers targeted with letters containing suspicious white powder
Federal and state law enforcement and health officials are investigating letters containing suspicious white powder that were sent to legislators and state agencies.
Activists to illuminate threats to LGBTQ+ rights during Lawrence panel discussion
Following the passage of new anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Kansas, a panel of local activists will gather in Lawrence Saturday to shed light on threats to LGBTQ+ rights.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Transgender and nonbinary people and allies push Lawrence City Commission to stand against anti-trans law
Nearly three dozen people spoke to the Lawrence City Commission Tuesday, asking commissioners to make Lawrence a sanctuary city for transgender and nonbinary people by taking a stand against the Kansas Legislature.
Kansas abortion rights groups file lawsuit against junk science ‘abortion reversal’ law
Kansas abortion providers filed a lawsuit combating an “abortion reversal” law based on a debunked study, calling the state’s tightened abortion regulations increasingly “inaccurate” and a violation of bodily integrity.
Kansas education board’s attorney says abstention as substitute for ‘no’ vote an abdication of duty
Legal counsel to the state Board of Education says a flurry of abstentions could be consequential because the tactic might be used to undermine a requirement the state board register at least six votes among the 10 members to take formal action.
Gov. Laura Kelly, legislators honor bipartisan reform of Kansas law on sexual abuse claims
Gov. Laura Kelly joined activists and legislators Thursday who reflected on a four-year journey to adoption of a Kansas law ending the statute of limitations on criminal prosecution for alleged child sexual abuse and extending opportunity to file lawsuits in those cases.
‘Everyone’s scared’: Transgender Kansans brace for sweeping new law to take effect
Kansas SB 180 will bring a host of changes, including limiting trans residents’ access to bathrooms. Much is still unknown about how it’ll be enforced.
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