Kansas Bills

SB 226 would allow Kansas individual taxpayers who itemize deductions to deduct 100% of their gambling losses on their state income tax return, starting in tax year 2025. The bill amends Kansas tax law to add "losses from wagering transactions" as a deductible item, matching the federal deduction rule for such losses. This change applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2025, and affects residents with gambling losses that exceed winnings under federal rules. It does not alter current deductions for other items like charitable contributions or medical expenses.

SB 94 requires courts to order convicted individuals who caused a parent’s or guardian’s incapacitation or death to pay child support as restitution for the victim’s minor children. Payments must cover each child’s reasonable needs until age 18 or high school graduation, with amounts determined by factors like the child’s age, financial circumstances, and standard of living. The court orders payments to the surviving parent or guardian and enforces them as a civil judgment under Kansas law. This applies specifically to crimes where the victim was a parent or guardian of a minor child at the time of the offense.

HB 2303 establishes the Division of Longitudinal Data within Kansas' Legislative Research Department to create and manage the Kansas Longitudinal Data System. This system securely links and analyzes education data (like student performance, graduation, and career readiness) and workforce data (such as employment, wages, and training) from state agencies, while strictly protecting personally identifiable information through de-identification. The bill requires participating agencies (including education, labor, and health departments) to enter formal agreements with the division to share data, and it mandates a publicly accessible online registry of educational and occupational credentials. The system aims to provide lawmakers and state agencies with aggregated data to support evidence-based decisions on education and workforce development, without revealing individual identities.

SB 282 creates the Kansas Retirement Investment and Savings Plan (KRISP), a new defined contribution retirement plan for most Kansas public employees hired on or after July 1, 2027. It establishes individual investment accounts for members, includes optional Roth-style savings contributions, and requires participation in a deferred compensation plan unless employees opt out. The plan applies to new hires and existing employees who choose to switch, but excludes current members of the police/fire retirement system, judges' system, and those already enrolled in the existing defined benefit plan before July 2027. KRISP operates alongside, but separately from, Kansas' current retirement systems and becomes effective January 1, 2028.

SB 153 establishes Kansas' first statewide paid prenatal leave law, requiring most employers to provide 20 hours of paid leave annually for pregnancy-related healthcare (like checkups, tests, and doctor visits) starting January 1, 2026. Employees earn this leave at their regular pay rate or minimum wage, whichever is higher, and cannot be penalized for using it. The law prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who request or take this leave and mandates employers restore employees to their previous position after leave. Employers must also inform staff about this benefit through the state labor department's outreach efforts.

HB 2236 establishes a Mental Health Intervention Team Program under Kansas' Department for Aging and Disability Services to improve access to mental health services for K-12 students. The program requires mental health providers to offer 24/7 outpatient care, person-centered treatment planning, and coordination with schools, while providing incentives for school districts and qualified schools (including nonpublic schools meeting accreditation standards) to collaborate with providers. It specifically targets students needing mental health support, such as those in foster care or referred to family programs, and aims to address staffing shortages in rural schools by fostering coordinated care outside traditional school hours.

HB 2144 creates a legal framework allowing adults (18+) to formally request decision-making assistance from trusted supporters through written agreements. It directly affects adults who want help managing daily choices - like healthcare, finances, housing, or work - without needing a court-appointed guardian or conservator. The bill requires agreements to be in writing, signed by the adult and supporters in front of witnesses, and specify the type of assistance provided. It explicitly states these agreements cannot override existing guardianship or conservatorship arrangements. The law also amends mistreatment statutes to clarify that failing to honor such agreements could constitute mistreatment of an adult.

HB 2104 requires Kansas school districts to use state-established curriculum guidelines for firearm safety education programs if they choose to offer them. It mandates specific, age-appropriate programs: kindergarten through fifth grade must use the NRA's Eddie Eagle Gunsafe program, sixth through eighth grade may choose between Eddie Eagle or the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' Hunter Education in Our Schools program, and ninth through twelfth grade must use Hunter Education in Our Schools. The bill standardizes these offerings across districts to ensure consistent safety education on firearm accident prevention and response. School districts are not required to implement these programs but must follow the state guidelines if they do. The law takes effect upon publication in the statutes.

SB 107 would remove sales tax from period products, diapers, and incontinence products purchased by consumers in Kansas. This tax exemption directly affects all Kansas residents who buy these essential hygiene items, making them more affordable. The bill amends Kansas tax law (K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 79-3606) to add these products to the list of exempt items, similar to how other necessities like certain food items are treated. The change would take effect upon the bill's passage, reducing the cost for buyers at retail stores.

HB 2301 repeals a Kansas law (K.S.A. 75-3718b) that required state agencies reporting to the governor to implement a performance-based budgeting system. This system previously mandated agencies to create detailed program inventories, adopt standardized budget processes, and track outcome-based performance measures. The bill eliminates these requirements, shifting away from tying budget decisions to measurable program outcomes. It directly affects all executive branch agencies under the governor’s authority, removing specific accountability mechanisms for how state funds are allocated and spent.

HB 2177 increases criminal penalties for drivers who flee or attempt to elude police officers after having prior convictions for the same offense. For a first offense, fleeing remains a misdemeanor, but with two or more prior convictions, it becomes a felony (ranging from severity level 9 to 5 depending on circumstances). The bill also imposes a minimum $500 fine if the driver was operating a stolen vehicle during the fleeing incident. This law directly affects individuals with repeated histories of evading police stops, escalating consequences based on prior offenses.

HB 2295 increases state funding for school meal programs in Kansas by raising reimbursements from $0.06 to $0.40 per reduced-price meal served starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It directly affects local school districts and students qualifying for reduced-price meals by requiring the state to cover the full cost, prohibiting school boards from charging these students for meals. The bill amends state law to replace the previous reimbursement rate and explicitly bans local fees for reduced-price meals under this program.