Requiring employees of school districts and postsecondary educational institutions to use the name and pronouns consistent with a student's biological sex and birth certificate and authorizing a cause of action for violations therefor.
SB 76, the "Given Name Act," requires school district and postsecondary institution employees in Kansas to use a student's name and pronouns matching their biological sex and birth certificate, unless the student's parent provides written permission. It directly affects minor students (under 18) and protects employees who decline to use preferred names/pronouns without parental consent. The bill authorizes students or affected individuals to sue for violations, seeking injunctive relief, damages, or attorney fees. It does not apply to students over 18 or override parental rights regarding their child's name.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 27, 2025
Last action Mar 21, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
As Amended by Senate Committee on Education
→
As Amended by House Committee on Education
·
2 edits
MINOR
The House Committee amended the bill to change the legal remedy for violations from a private lawsuit to a formal complaint process handled by the school board. The amendment also removed a specific exemption that previously allowed students to be disciplined if they refused to use a name or pronoun inconsistent with the student's biological sex.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding enforcement mechanisms changed from allowing private civil lawsuits to requiring complaints to be filed with and investigated by the school board.
ENFORCEMENT
Replaced the provision allowing individuals to file a private cause of action with a new requirement for aggrieved parents to file a formal complaint with the school board for investigation.
REQUIREMENT
Deleted the clause that prohibited students from facing disciplinary action if they declined to use a name or pronoun inconsistent with their biological sex.
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
12
Key actions
6
Committee
5
Mar 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by House Committee on Education
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Committee
Referred to House Committee on Education
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Introduced
Received and Introduced
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Emergency Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 26, Nay 14
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Sen. Patrick Schmidt
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
upper
Feb 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Senate Committee on Education
upper
Jan 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Senate Committee on Education
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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