Kansas Bills

signed · Kansas · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 374: Permitting a municipal judge to initiate a psychiatric or psychological examination to determine competence, setting forth relevant procedures and requiring further consideration of evaluation and treatment during the course of competency proceedings for defendants charged with the most serious offenses.

SB 374 requires courts to order more thorough evaluation and treatment for defendants found incompetent to stand trial on serious felony charges, including violent crimes or certain drug offenses. It mandates that medical providers certify within 90 days whether a defendant has a realistic chance of regaining competency, triggering a court hearing within 21 days. If competency isn't restored within six months, the court must direct prosecutors to begin involuntary commitment proceedings. The bill specifically applies to defendants charged with "most serious offenses," such as violent felonies or specific sex crimes, ensuring clearer timelines for court decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Kansas · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 364: Requiring the department of wildlife and parks to offer a discounted resident senior combination hunting and fishing license to residents of Kansas who are 65 years of age or older and increasing the maximum age to qualify for the Kansas kids lifetime combination hunting and fishing license and decreasing the maximum fee and removing the expiration of such license.

SB 364 creates a discounted resident senior hunting and fishing license for Kansas residents aged 65 or older, priced at no more than 1/8 the cost of a standard lifetime license. It also reduces the maximum fee for the "Kansas Kids" lifetime combination license from $500 to $400 for children aged 6-15 and eliminates its expiration date (previously set to end in 2032). These changes directly affect seniors seeking affordable outdoor recreation and children enrolled in the kids' license program. The bill requires the Department of Wildlife and Parks to report annually on the kids' license program's usage.

signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2487: Defining teacher and paraprofessional for purposes of eligibility for a scholarship under the Kansas education opportunity scholarship program.

HB 2487 clarifies who qualifies as a "teacher or paraprofessional" for eligibility in Kansas' education scholarship program. It defines these roles as individuals employed in Kansas public or nonpublic schools (pre-K through 12) whose primary duties involve classroom instruction or instructional support, requiring school administrators to certify such employment. This change directly affects students whose parents work in these roles, allowing them to qualify for the scholarship if they meet other criteria (like financial need and being a first-generation student). The bill amends existing law to replace the previous, less specific definition with this precise standard.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2539: Authorizing library boards to change from being appointed members to elected members and requiring that the members of the Eudora community library district board of directors be elected to such positions.

HB 2539 would require the Eudora community library district board of directors to be elected by residents instead of appointed. The bill mandates that the city of Eudora and Eudora township adopt a joint resolution specifying elections in even-numbered years, setting term lengths (up to four years), and establishing staggered terms. This change directly affects Eudora residents who would vote for library board members and replaces the current system where board members were appointed by local officials. The bill does not alter library services or funding, only the selection process for the governing board. (Note: The bill is currently pending in committee as of January 2026.)

signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2528: Requiring all state board of nursing actions related to certain nonpractice violations be void, allowing for late license renewal for professional, practical and advanced practice registered nurses, setting fees for late license renewal, limiting unprofessional conduct to acts related to the practice of nursing, prohibiting the board from taking retaliatory action against a licensee based on certain lawful actions and creating a civil cause of action for violation thereof, requiring termination of current board members on January 1, 2027 and requiring the governor to appoint interim board members subject to senate confirmation and requiring the board to issue refunds for overpayment or duplicate payment.

HB 2528 invalidates all Kansas State Board of Nursing disciplinary actions related to nonpractice violations (e.g., administrative errors or unrelated conduct) occurring between 2005 and July 2026, retroactively clearing records. It allows late license renewals for all registered nurses (professional, practical, and advanced practice) with set fees, limits "unprofessional conduct" to practice-related acts, and prohibits the board from retaliating against nurses who legally challenge it. The bill requires board members to undergo Senate confirmation, mandates refunds for overpayments, and creates a legal remedy for violations. It directly affects nurses with past disciplinary records under specific statutes and the Board’s administrative processes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Kansas · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 380: Requiring retail electric suppliers to provide fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory rates and services to entities that provide electric vehicle charging services.

SB 380 requires retail electric suppliers in Kansas to offer fair, reasonable, and equal rates to businesses providing electric vehicle (EV) charging services. It specifically prohibits suppliers from including costs for their own public fast-charging stations (50kW+ DC) in electricity rates charged to customers. The bill applies to suppliers operating public fast-charging stations but exempts stations built before July 1, 2026, or those used solely for the supplier's own vehicles. This ensures EV charging businesses face no artificial cost disadvantages from utility-owned stations. The law takes effect after its publication in the statute book.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Transportation

signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2482: Removing the requirement that the state board of education use a certain exam provider to deliver certain college entrance and career readiness exams and requiring the board to provide for such exams using any provider.

HB 2482 removes a requirement that Kansas schools must use the ACT exam provider for state-funded college entrance and career readiness tests. Instead, it allows the state board of education to select any qualified provider for these exams. The bill directly affects high school students in grades 9 (pre-ACT), 11, and 12 who take these assessments, as well as the state board responsible for administering them. This change modifies existing law (K.S.A. 72-5179) to increase flexibility in exam selection without altering which students must take the tests or requiring fees.

signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2573: Amending statutes concerning the Kansas board of accountancy; relating to licensure requirements for certified public accountants.

HB 2573 amends Kansas statutes governing the Board of Accountancy to update licensure procedures for certified public accountants (CPAs). It modifies requirements for education (K.S.A. 1-302a), experience (1-302b), continuing education (1-310), and professional conduct, clarifying how the board administers these standards. The bill also revises fee structures for certificates ($50 initial), permits ($350 annual), firm registrations ($300 initial), and related services. These changes directly affect CPA applicants, license holders, and accounting firms seeking to practice in Kansas under state regulations. The bill focuses on administrative updates to the board's processes rather than altering core licensure eligibility criteria.

signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2462: Requiring the secretary of health and environment to adopt rules and regulations that allow for the direct and indirect potable reuse of treated wastewater, providing additional requirements for applications to the water technical assistance fund and the water projects grant fund and extending the current expiration date of such funds.

HB 2462 requires Kansas' Secretary of Health and Environment to adopt rules by July 1, 2028, allowing communities to safely reuse treated wastewater as drinking water. It defines "direct" reuse (advanced treatment to produce drinking water directly from treated wastewater) and "indirect" reuse (treated wastewater discharged into natural buffers like rivers before reuse). The rules must meet or exceed federal drinking water standards and apply to public water systems serving at least 25 people daily, including cities and towns managing drinking water infrastructure. This bill directly affects water utilities and communities seeking to expand water sources through reuse.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2520: Increasing the number of allowed residents in a home plus facility from 12 to 16.

HB 2520 would increase the maximum number of residents allowed in "home plus" facilities from 12 to 16. This directly affects home plus facilities - residential care settings for adults needing personal care or limited nursing support - and their current residents. The bill amends Kansas law to change the occupancy cap in the definition of "home plus" while requiring facilities serving over eight residents to adjust staffing to maintain care standards. The change applies to facilities operating under the adult care home licensing system.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2536: Requiring proposed guardians for certain adults who have a cognitive impairment or are diagnosed with a neurological condition to complete training approved by the secretary for aging and disability services prior to appointment as a guardian.

HB 2536 requires proposed guardians for adults with cognitive impairments or neurological conditions (like Alzheimer's or dementia) to complete training approved by Kansas' Secretary for Aging and Disability Services before a court can appoint them. The bill mandates that approved training programs cover topics such as normal aging, dementia warning signs, communication strategies, and supporting adults' rights. Courts must verify completion of this training through an affidavit before finalizing appointments, though they may grant waivers for specific cases. This directly affects guardianship applicants, courts, and the Secretary's office, which will approve and maintain training program lists. The policy change aims to ensure guardians are prepared to support vulnerable adults' needs.

signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2574: Removing the expiration on certain cybersecurity requirements, modifying the duties of chief information security officers and cybersecurity programs, requiring assessment of executive branch agency compliance with cybersecurity requirements, providing for consideration of such compliance by the legislature during the budget process and creating the judicial branch technology oversight council.

HB 2574 removes expiration dates from existing cybersecurity requirements for Kansas state government, making them permanent. It requires chief information security officers in all government branches to annually assess agency compliance with cybersecurity standards, report findings to the legislature, and link compliance to budget decisions. The bill creates a new judicial branch technology oversight council to set IT standards, approve plans, and oversee cybersecurity programs for courts. These changes apply directly to all executive branch agencies, the judiciary, and their IT security staff, focusing on mandatory annual reviews and alignment with national cybersecurity frameworks.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Technology

Bill results