Education

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 101: Creating the drug abuse resistance education (D.A.R.E.) educator position.

SB 101 creates a new statewide "D.A.R.E. Educator" position within the Kansas Attorney General's office. This role directly affects public elementary and secondary schools across Kansas by requiring the educator to provide drug abuse prevention instruction using an attorney general-approved curriculum, specifically including content on fentanyl and opioids. The bill mandates the educator to report annually to the legislature about curriculum changes and list all public schools participating in the program. The position is funded through available appropriations and becomes effective upon publication in the statute book.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates drug prevention education program in K-12 schools via new D.A.R.E. Educator position, enhancing student programs without restricting curriculum.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 164: Prohibiting discriminatory practices on the basis of religion at public educational institutions and authorizing the attorney general to investigate violations and assess civil penalties under the Kansas act against discrimination.

SB 164 prohibits Kansas public schools and colleges (including K-12 districts, community colleges, and state universities like Washburn) from discriminating based on religion or tolerating antisemitism. It allows individuals harmed by violations to file complaints with the attorney general, who can investigate using subpoenas and testimony, and impose civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation. The bill explicitly excludes religious studies coursework from the prohibition and defines antisemitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s 2016 definition. Violations must be proven by a preponderance of evidence, with penalties deposited into the state general fund.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits religious discrimination in schools, protecting student/staff safety and ensuring equal access, aligning with education protection indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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signed · Kansas · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 2: Validating the election results for the bond issuance question submitted by the board of education of USD 200, Greeley county, at a special election held on May 21, 2024.

SB 2 validates the May 21, 2024 election results in Greeley County where voters approved a $4.6 million bond for school improvements. The bill specifically authorizes USD 200 school district to issue general obligation bonds for constructing, renovating, and equipping school facilities, including safety upgrades, playgrounds, gym additions, and ADA-compliant renovations. It confirms the election's validity for funding these projects, with bonds limited to $4.6 million to cover construction, equipment, and bond interest costs. This directly affects Greeley County's school district and its ability to proceed with the approved facility projects.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes $4.6M bond for K-12 school facility upgrades including safety, ADA compliance, and construction, directly funding school infrastructure.95% confidence

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2142: Requiring each school district adopt an independent review process as part of such district's policies prohibiting and preventing bullying.

HB 2142 requires Kansas school districts to adopt an independent review process for bullying complaints in their anti-bullying policies. It directly affects students, parents, and staff who report bullying and believe a school administrator's handling was incorrect, unsatisfactory, or inadequate. The bill establishes that individuals can request a written independent review if they disagree with an initial investigation's findings or response. This review must be conducted by a neutral person, involving interviews and a review of written materials, and requires school staff to cooperate. The bill amends Kansas law to mandate this process as part of school districts' bullying prevention policies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens student safety protocols by mandating independent reviews for bullying complaints, directly enhancing school district policies protecting students and staff.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 49: Requiring that each attendance center needs assessment be conducted by the local board of education and include input from board members, teachers, school site councils and school administrators and that board members receive certain state assessment data and identify allocations of money in the school district budget and budget summary.

SB 49 requires Kansas school districts to conduct annual needs assessments for each school building, involving input from board members, teachers, school site councils, and administrators. These assessments must be published online and used by school boards when approving budgets to improve student academic performance. The bill also mandates that board members receive state assessment data showing student scores and document how budget allocations address barriers to students achieving proficiency goals. School budgets must explicitly identify how funds are allocated to meet these goals, with all related documents made publicly available online. This bill directly affects school board decision-making processes and budget transparency in Kansas public schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires data-driven needs assessments with stakeholder input to improve budget allocation for student achievement, aligning with strengthening school resource management and academic performance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

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signed · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 78: Requiring postsecondary educational institutions to regularly review and update accreditation policies, prohibiting accrediting agencies from compelling such institutions to violate state law and providing a cause of action for violations thereof.

SB 78 requires all Kansas postsecondary educational institutions (including state schools, private colleges, community colleges, and independent non-profits) to regularly review and update their accreditation policies by December 31, 2025. It prohibits accrediting agencies from forcing institutions to violate Kansas state law, and allows institutions to sue such agencies for violations. The bill ensures institutions can pursue accreditation through recognized agencies without compromising state law compliance. It also mandates that institutions notify the legislature within 30 days if an accrediting agency violates this provision. This law directly affects how Kansas colleges and universities engage with external accreditation bodies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects postsecondary institutions from accrediting agencies forcing violations of state law, ensuring institutional autonomy in accreditation compliance without restricting educational operations.85% confidence

signed · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 2102: Substitute for HB 2102 by Committee on Education - Providing for the advance enrollment of a military student whose parent or person acting as parent will be stationed in this state and correcting federal statutory citations in the interstate compact on educational opportunity for military children.

HB 2102 allows military students to enroll in Kansas public schools before physically moving to the state. It directly affects military children whose parents or guardians will be stationed at a Kansas military base during the school year, requiring proof of the assignment. The bill amends Kansas law (72-3128) to permit advance enrollment for these students, treating them as residents for enrollment purposes. This removes barriers for military families during relocations by enabling schools to accept applications based on parental assignment, not physical residency. The bill replaces existing language in K.S.A. 72-3128 with these new enrollment provisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access for military children by enabling advance enrollment in Kansas public schools without physical relocation, removing barriers to enrollment per 72-3128 amendment.95% confidence

signed · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 2185: Updating the Kansas national guard educational assistance act to include dependents of national guard members and the Kansas national guard educational master's for enhanced readiness and global excellence (EMERGE) program to include other advanced degrees.

HB 2185 expands the Kansas National Guard Educational Assistance Act to allow current National Guard members to transfer unused tuition benefits to their dependents. It also broadens the EMERGE program to cover doctoral and professional degrees, not just master's degrees. The bill directly affects Kansas National Guard members and their dependents by increasing educational support options at Kansas educational institutions. Key mechanisms include amending eligibility rules to include dependents in the program and revising degree coverage under the EMERGE initiative. These changes aim to enhance educational opportunities for military families and support national guard readiness.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition benefits to dependents and includes doctoral/professional degrees, increasing educational access and support for National Guard families under higher education programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

signed · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 114: Authorizing nonpublic and virtual school students to participate in ancillary public school activities and making it unlawful for the Kansas state high school activities association and school districts to discriminate against such students based on enrollment status.

SB 114 allows students enrolled in nonpublic schools or virtual schools to participate in public school activities like sports, clubs, and events such as pep rallies or award ceremonies, provided they meet standard requirements (e.g., residency, fees, and academic eligibility). It explicitly prohibits school districts and the Kansas State High School Activities Association from denying participation based on whether a student attends a public, nonpublic, or virtual school. The bill amends existing law to include these students under the same eligibility rules as public school students, ensuring equal access to ancillary activities without requiring them to enroll in additional courses at the public school. This change directly affects nonpublic and virtual school students seeking to join public school programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by allowing nonpublic/virtual students equal participation in public school activities, prohibiting enrollment-based discrimination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

signed · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 35: Discontinuing the state property tax levies for the Kansas educational building fund and the state institutions building fund and providing for financing therefor from the state general fund.

SB 35 discontinues two property tax levies in Kansas: one for the Kansas educational building fund (used for state universities) and one for the state institutions building fund (used for facilities at mental health, juvenile justice, and vocational rehabilitation institutions). The bill replaces these levies with funding from the state general fund, starting in 2026. For the educational building fund, it requires an initial $50 million transfer in 2026, followed by annual increases of 2% of $50 million. This shift directly affects how the state finances building projects at educational and state institutions by moving funding from property taxes to general state funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill replaces property tax levies with general fund transfers to maintain funding for educational/institutional building programs, ensuring continued financial support for essential services.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill maintains funding for juvenile justice and vocational rehab facilities via general fund, supporting criminal justice infrastructure without defunding.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill replaces property tax levies with state general fund, providing $50M initial and 2% annual increases for educational building fund, ensuring continued infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice