Kansas Bills

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 439: Enacting the utility railroad crossing act and establishing a process and limitations for utilities to interact with railroad right-of-way.

SB 439 establishes a standardized process for utilities (like electric, gas, water, and broadband companies) to build, maintain, or modify infrastructure that crosses or runs parallel to railroad corridors in Kansas. It requires utilities to provide railroads with 30-120 days' notice before work begins, submit engineering designs meeting safety standards, pay fees, and carry insurance. Railroads can object to projects, and disputes must be resolved by the state Corporation Commission. The law applies to new work or renewals after July 1, 2026, and specifically excludes most electric cooperatives unless they opt in.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2762: Modifying the crime of unlawful sexual relations to describe who is a person in a position of authority for a school.

HB 2762 amends Kansas law to explicitly include teachers as "a person in a position of authority for a school" under the crime of unlawful sexual relations. This change directly affects teachers and students enrolled at their school, making it illegal for teachers to engage in sexual activity with students aged 16 or older while employed at that school. The bill adds this specific scenario to the existing list of prohibited relationships (like those involving correctional staff or law enforcement), clarifying that the law applies when the teacher has authority over the student. The amendment does not change penalty levels but ensures teachers are covered under the same felony provisions as other authority figures in similar settings.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2771: Establishing requirements for the county sheriff operating a jail for the enforcement of United States immigration and customs enforcement detainers, requiring municipal insurance pools to provide coverage for law enforcement that enforces federal laws, requiring the state to pay certain judgements in a federal court action, requiring the attorney general to provide representation in certain civil actions and authorizing county sheriffs to enter into certain interlocal cooperation agreements without the approval of the board of county commissioners.

HB 2771 establishes procedures for Kansas county sheriffs operating jails regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers. It requires sheriffs to detain individuals based on facially sufficient ICE detainer forms (I-247A) for up to 48 hours without criminal charges, with specific documentation requirements and release conditions including proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill also mandates municipal insurance pools to cover law enforcement actions enforcing federal law and requires the state to pay certain federal court judgments and provide attorney general representation in related civil actions. Additionally, it updates interlocal cooperation agreements for county sheriffs without needing board approval.

Topics ✗ Immigration

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 471: Increasing the Kansas minimum wage to $16 an hour and making such minimum wage applicable to employers and employees covered under the provisions of the federal fair labor standards act.

SB 471 would raise Kansas' minimum wage to $16 per hour for workers already covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), such as most hourly employees in retail, hospitality, and service industries. It amends Kansas law to set this new $16 hourly rate as the minimum for employers and employees subject to federal wage rules, replacing the current $7.25 rate. The bill specifically targets workers who fall under federal FLSA protections, ensuring Kansas' minimum wage aligns with and exceeds the federal standard for these employees. It repeals the existing state minimum wage provisions and takes effect upon publication in the statute book.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 492: Requiring law enforcement agencies to share records with other law enforcement agencies about law enforcement officers related to criminal conduct or conduct giving rise to licensing or certification sanctions.

SB 492 requires Kansas law enforcement agencies to share an applicant's background records - including information about criminal conduct or conduct leading to licensing or certification sanctions - with other agencies when the applicant seeks a law enforcement position. Applicants must sign a waiver authorizing the disclosure, and agencies must share the records within 21 days, either by providing copies or allowing in-person review. Agencies with pre-2018 nondisclosure agreements may withhold records, but those with post-2018 agreements must share necessary information while redacting non-applicant personal details. The bill ensures shared records are treated as the original agency's records under open records laws and protects agencies from liability for good-faith compliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

vetoed · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2763: Requiring school districts to provide elementary students with a certain amount of daily recess, prohibiting limiting or withholding recess for disciplinary reasons, requiring a Kansas state fitness test and designating required recess time as part of the school term.

HB 2763 creates a compact allowing athletic trainers licensed in one participating state to practice in other member states without obtaining separate licenses. This directly affects licensed athletic trainers seeking to work across state lines, active military members and their spouses relocating for duty, and patients gaining broader access to these professionals. The bill establishes uniform licensing standards and a commission to manage mutual recognition, eliminating the need for multiple state licenses while preserving each state's authority to regulate practice and protect public safety. It requires trainers to maintain current licensure and meet continuing education standards to exercise interstate practice privileges.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2655: Authorizing the chief judge of each municipal court to establish a specialty court program, providing for expungement when a person has completed the requirements of such program, authorizing judges to waive the fee in expungement cases by reviewing and granting a poverty affidavit and requiring judges to waive the fee for petitions for expungement of municipal arrest records in certain cases.

HB 2655 allows municipal court chief judges in Kansas to establish specialty court programs (like drug or mental health courts) under Supreme Court rules. If a person completes such a program, they can petition their municipal court for expungement of their conviction and related arrest records after three years. The court reviews the petition, considering factors like the person’s recent criminal history and public safety, before granting expungement. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of municipal ordinance violations who successfully complete qualifying specialty court programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2760: Enacting the esthetics licensure compact to provide interstate practice privileges for estheticians.

HB 2760 creates the Esthetics Licensure Compact, allowing licensed estheticians in participating states to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses. It directly affects licensed estheticians, particularly military members and their spouses who relocate, by enabling them to work in multiple states under uniform licensing standards. Key provisions establish a shared regulatory framework requiring consistent competency exams, background checks, and a centralized data system to track disciplinary actions across member states. The compact aims to improve public access to esthetic services while maintaining safety standards through coordinated enforcement between states.

Topics ✓ Veterans

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 519: Exempting certain registered agritourism operations from local code and regulation enforcement.

SB 519 exempts qualifying agritourism operations from local building codes, health/safety regulations, and other municipal rules. It applies only to farms where agricultural activity is the sole operation and public access is by specific invitation (not general admission), excluding locations selling unrelated goods or hosting unrelated events. The bill defines "nonpublic registered agritourism locations" to ensure exemptions cover farms like hayrides or farm tours open by invitation only, not commercial venues or retail spaces. This directly affects Kansas farmers seeking to host agritourism activities without local permit requirements. The law amends existing agritourism protections to clarify these regulatory exemptions.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2639: Changing the name of juvenile crisis intervention centers to juvenile stabilization centers, modifying the intake criteria and treatment provided at such centers and transferring moneys from the evidence-based programs account of the state general fund for use at such centers.

HB 2639 changes the name of "juvenile crisis intervention centers" to "juvenile stabilization centers" and updates who can use these facilities. It modifies intake rules to limit who qualifies for services, removes certain restrictions on center operations, and updates the types of treatment provided. The bill transfers existing state funds from the "evidence-based programs account" to the Department for Children and Families to support these new stabilization services. This directly affects children needing crisis care and the state agencies managing these centers.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✗ Healthcare

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2688: Providing that a nondisclosure agreement shall not be judicially enforceable in a dispute involving childhood sexual abuse or human trafficking allegations or claims.

HB 2688 prevents courts from enforcing nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in legal disputes involving childhood sexual abuse or human trafficking allegations. It directly affects victims, abusers, and traffickers in civil cases by voiding NDAs that would otherwise silence victims or conceal wrongdoing. The law applies to NDAs signed on or after July 1, 2026, though agreements made before that date may still be enforced if a court issues a final declaration of enforceability. This policy change ensures victims cannot be legally barred from speaking about abuse or trafficking incidents in related legal proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2609: Enacting the supported decision-making agreements act to provide a statutory framework for allowing an adult to receive decision-making assistance from one or more other adults, requirements for decision-making agreements and duties related thereto.

HB 2609 creates a legal framework allowing adults (18+) to voluntarily receive decision-making assistance from trusted individuals for daily life choices like healthcare, finances, living arrangements, and work. It requires written agreements specifying the support needed, signed by both the adult (principal) and their supporters, with safeguards against coercion and clear definitions of supported areas. The law also treats violations of these agreements as mistreatment of vulnerable adults under existing protections. This provides a formal alternative to court-appointed guardianship for those who want support while maintaining autonomy.

Bill results