Kansas Bills

SB 496 requires Kansas public and private postsecondary educational institutions to provide annual training on freedom of speech, association, and religious exercise to specific campus staff, including administrators, discipline instructors, and student organization overseers. The training must cover key constitutional provisions (Kansas Constitution sections 3, 7, 11; U.S. First Amendment; and Kansas statutes on free expression). The State Board of Regents, with the Attorney General, develops the training materials, and institutions must confirm compliance annually to the legislature. The Attorney General can sue noncompliant institutions or the Board to enforce the law. The bill is pending in committee as of February 2026 and has not yet become law.

SB 458 requires Kansas public schools to use the 2024 performance levels and score thresholds (cut scores) for statewide assessments in core subjects like math, reading, and science. It directly affects all Kansas public schools that administer these standardized tests. The bill mandates that future assessments must align with the 2024 standards rather than new or updated ones, ensuring consistency in how student performance is measured. This change applies to all grade levels and subjects covered by the state's assessment system.

HB 2619 would create a sales tax exemption for manufactured homes, mobile homes, modular homes, and construction materials/services used by contractors to build or remodel affordable housing projects for qualifying nonprofit organizations. The bill amends Kansas' sales tax code to add this specific exemption, directly reducing costs for contractors working on affordable housing developments. This policy change applies when projects are sponsored by nonprofits meeting defined affordability criteria. The exemption covers both the homes themselves and related construction materials/services purchased by contractors.

SB 441 authorizes private providers to deliver medically necessary applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy during school hours for students with autism spectrum disorder, as prescribed by a healthcare provider. School districts must permit these services when parents provide documentation from a healthcare provider and a treatment plan, and private providers must pass background checks. The bill requires school districts to adopt policies for this service and allows third-party insurance to cover costs, without replacing existing school-based behavioral support under IEPs.

SB 478 amends Kansas law to increase penalties for assaulting or battering utility and communications employees. It defines "assault of a utility or communications employee" as assault committed against workers providing electricity, gas, water, wastewater, telecom, or internet services during job duties. The bill raises the penalty for such assaults from a class C misdemeanor (under original law) to a class B misdemeanor (per K.S.A. 21-5412(f)(5)). This change directly affects workers in these sectors and increases criminal consequences for perpetrators who harm them while they are performing their duties.

HB 2740 requires Kansas pharmacies to follow specific safety standards for compounding medications (making custom prescriptions) set by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), covering nonsterile, sterile, and radiopharmaceutical preparations. It directly affects pharmacists and pharmacies in Kansas by mandating compliance with these USP standards starting July 1, 2027. The bill allows the Kansas Board of Pharmacy to create rules for implementation and grant exemptions or waivers from these standards when appropriate. This replaces the previous state standards with nationally recognized USP guidelines to ensure consistent safety practices in medication compounding.

SB 502 authorizes the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission to adopt specific operational rules for sports wagering, identified by Kansas Administrative Regulations (K.A.R. 112-201 through 112-204). These rules will govern how sports betting can be legally operated in Kansas, directly affecting the Commission (which regulates gambling) and businesses seeking to offer sports wagering services. The bill enables the Commission to implement detailed requirements for licensing, security, and consumer protections as outlined in an approved economic impact statement. This is a procedural step to formalize existing regulatory frameworks, not a new policy change, and the bill is currently pending in committee.

SB 516 clarifies that certain amusement machines and contests no longer violate Kansas's unlawful gambling laws. It defines "amusement machines" as devices without chance elements that award prizes worth $25 or less per play, with strict limits on prize value and redemption. The bill specifically exempts skill-based activities like fantasy sports leagues, esports competitions, and charitable raffles from gambling restrictions. These changes directly affect businesses operating such machines or hosting these events, providing legal clarity for their operations. The key mechanism is setting a $25 wholesale value cap on noncash prizes and explicitly listing exempt activities in state law.

HB 2645 extends a 60% tax credit for Kansas businesses and individuals who donate to community colleges or technical colleges for capital improvements, deferred maintenance, or technology/equipment purchases. The credit applies to contributions made between 2022 and 2031, allowing donors to reduce their state income tax liability by up to 60% of qualifying donations. Funds must be deposited into designated capital outlay or maintenance funds at the institutions, with strict rules ensuring they support specific infrastructure needs rather than new construction. This policy directly affects taxpayers who make eligible contributions to participating Kansas community colleges and technical colleges.

HB 2732 requires Kansas to include on death certificates of veterans with a service-connected disability or a condition presumed service-connected by the VA whether the cause of death is related to military service. The state registrar must maintain a confidential roster of these veterans, and cause of death certifiers must use this roster to determine and document the connection. Survivors of such veterans will receive two free copies of the death certificate showing this relationship, which helps them apply for veterans' benefits without needing additional proof.

SB 517 expands Kansas' "Every Child Can Read Act" by requiring school districts to create individual literacy plans for high-risk students (kindergarten through third grade) and employ reading specialists. It mandates detailed annual reporting on student reading proficiency, screening data, and intervention outcomes to the state education department, including metrics for all student subgroups. The bill also aligns literacy goals with state assessment scores, requires teacher training in literacy practicums, and updates the Kansas Blueprint for Literacy to include new standards for educator preparation. These changes directly affect school districts, teachers, and students, focusing on early literacy intervention and accountability.

HB 2758 directs Kansas' Capitol Preservation Committee to create and approve plans for a permanent registry kiosk inside the state capitol honoring Kansas military personnel who died in action or from combat wounds during active duty. The bill establishes a dedicated fund (financed solely by grants, gifts, or donations, not public funds) to cover the kiosk's creation and construction. This memorial will serve as a physical tribute to fallen service members, with no taxpayer money used for its development.