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.
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.
HB 2627 expands Kansas's existing permissive hiring preference for veterans to include current active-duty military service members stationed in Kansas and their eligible spouses. Private employers who adopt this policy may give hiring preference to these groups, provided applicants meet all job requirements. Employers must have a written, consistent policy and require specific documentation: service members need military membership certification and Kansas duty station proof, spouses need marriage proof plus military documentation, and veterans need discharge papers. This bill amends K.S.A. 73-231 to define these new categories and their eligibility requirements.
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.
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.
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.
HB 2738 directs Kansas' Secretary for Children and Families to request or update a federal waiver application that would allow the state to prohibit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients from using benefits to buy candy and soft drinks. The bill amends state law to facilitate this waiver request, specifically targeting food commonly marketed as candy or soft drinks. This change would directly affect SNAP recipients in Kansas, restricting their ability to purchase these items with government benefits if the waiver is approved. The bill itself does not change current SNAP rules but enables the state to seek federal approval for this restriction through a procedural amendment.
HB 2676 allows Kansas pharmacists to initiate therapy for specific minor health conditions, such as influenza, strep throat, and urinary tract infections, without a physician's direct order, provided the condition is minor, self-limiting, or meets other defined criteria like not requiring a new diagnosis. Pharmacists must follow statewide protocols developed by a committee, which specify required training, documentation, communication with the patient's primary care provider, and adherence to the standard of care. Violations of these protocols could lead to disciplinary action by the state board, including license suspension. The law became effective on July 1, 2022.
SB 491, the Haylee Weissenbach Protecting Students Act, creates an independent Office of Education Inspector General in Kansas to oversee K-12 schools (including public, charter, and nonpublic institutions). It requires schools to report suspected professional or criminal misconduct by employees or agents (like volunteers or contractors), mandates criminal background checks for all school staff, and establishes an educator misconduct registry for individuals posing risks to students. The bill also requires schools to conduct audits and investigations into misconduct, prohibits retaliation against those reporting issues, and imposes civil penalties for noncompliance. These provisions directly affect all Kansas school districts, nonpublic schools, and their employees or contracted service providers.
HB 2633 amends Kansas law to increase the maximum service charge fee for wildlife department licenses, permits, and stamps. It sets a new cap of $2.00 for most licenses and permits, while raising the cap for migratory waterfowl habitat stamps to $1.00 (from $0.50). This change affects individuals purchasing these items, such as hunters and anglers, but does not alter the base cost of the licenses themselves. The bill repeals the existing fee structure and specifies that collected fees follow standard state deposit procedures.
HB 2614 modifies Kansas law to allow limited exceptions to the confidentiality of records held by the Crime Victims Compensation Board. Currently, these records - including medical, psychological, and crime-related documents - are confidential, but the bill permits the board to share them under specific circumstances: for court appeals, to assist law enforcement in child abuse/neglect investigations (if records weren’t previously available), to address suspected fraud, or when a court orders disclosure for a valid reason. The board must make a finding justifying disclosure (e.g., fraud or necessity for an appeal) before sharing, and all disclosures include safety safeguards to protect victims’ identities. These exceptions expire on July 1, 2031, unless renewed by the legislature. The bill directly affects crime victims applying for compensation, the board, and law enforcement agencies.
SB 476 adds thrift stores operated by churches or religious organizations to Kansas's property tax exemption for religious and charitable properties. Specifically, it exempts real and personal property used for thrift stores that operate solely with donated goods (not consigned items) and are owned and run exclusively by the same church or religious group as part of their religious or charitable mission. This change applies only to thrift stores providing items free to those in need or using sales proceeds for religious/charitable purposes. The bill directly affects qualifying churches and religious organizations operating such thrift stores by removing their property tax burden on these facilities. It amends Kansas law to explicitly include these thrift stores under existing religious/charitable exemption rules.
