Education

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 477: Establishing the Kansas first responder scholarship program to provide postsecondary tuition assistance to certain first responders and dependents of such first responders.

SB 477 establishes the Kansas First Responder Scholarship Program, providing tuition assistance at Kansas postsecondary institutions for eligible first responders (including firefighters, EMTs, law enforcement officers, and public safety telecommunicators) with at least six years of service in Kansas, and their dependents (with the parent having at least 12 years of service). The scholarship covers tuition fees (including course and activity fees) but excludes room, board, books, and other materials, for up to 10 semesters of undergraduate study. To qualify, applicants must meet admission requirements, apply for other federal and state financial aid first, and provide proof of employment and residency each year. The state board of regents administers the program, and participating colleges can seek reimbursement from the state for waived tuition.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition assistance for first responders' higher education, directly funding postsecondary access and expanding educational opportunity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Tags Public Safety

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2660: Making and concerning appropriations for the state board of regents for the Kansas blueprint for literacy, expanding the every child can read act reporting requirements and amending the Kansas blueprint for literacy to provide certain requirements for the state board of education, the state board of regents and school districts with regard to literacy education and reporting.

HB 2660 appropriates $8.6 million for the Kansas Blueprint for Literacy through fiscal year 2027, requiring the state board of regents to use these funds in alignment with the blueprint's strategic plan. The bill expands reporting requirements under the "Every Child Can Read Act," mandating school districts to track high-risk students, develop individual literacy plans for those at risk, and report on interventions and outcomes annually. It also requires the state board of education to designate evidence-based literacy practices, include a literacy practicum in teacher licensure, and develop a comprehensive literacy implementation plan for school districts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $8.6M for literacy education program, directly funding state initiative under budget management per bill's fiscal provisions.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $8.6M for literacy programs, mandates tracking at-risk students and annual reporting to improve literacy outcomes per Kansas Blueprint.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2631: Increasing the extent of property tax exemption from the statewide school levy for residential property.

HB 2631 increases the property tax exemption for residential homeowners in Kansas, raising the amount exempt from the statewide school levy from $75,000 to $125,000 of a property's appraised value. This change directly affects Kansas homeowners with residential properties who pay school taxes. The bill amends existing law to apply this higher exemption starting in 2027, reducing their taxable value for school funding purposes. The exemption applies to all taxable years beginning in 2027 and beyond.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax exemption for homeowners, reducing their taxable value for school levies - direct tax relief aligning with support indicators for middle-income households.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill reduces school funding by increasing property tax exemption, lowering taxable value for school levies starting 2027, directly defunding K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives School Funding

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 514: Authorizing students to participate in school activities immediately upon transfer to another school unless such students were recruited, induced or unduly influenced to transfer for athletic activity participation.

SB 514 allows Kansas students who transfer mid-year to immediately join school activities (like sports, music, or drama) at their new school, unless they were recruited or induced primarily to join for athletic purposes. Students must still meet basic eligibility standards (academic requirements, behavior, skill assessment, and team capacity limits). The rule specifically delays athletic participation for one year if a student transferred solely for sports recruitment, but does not affect eligibility for nonathletic activities like music or debate. Schools cannot delay eligibility for nonathletic transfers or impose unnecessary barriers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves barriers for students to immediately join school activities (non-athletic), expanding educational access and participation opportunities per bill's intent.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 302: Requiring school districts to prohibit the use of personal electronic communication devices during instructional time and prohibiting any employee of a school district from using social media to directly communicate with any student for official school purposes.

SB 302 requires Kansas public and nonpublic K-12 schools to ban student use of personal electronic devices (like phones, tablets, or smartwatches) during instructional time, with exceptions for students with individualized education plans (IEPs) or medical needs approved by a physician. It also prohibits school staff from using social media platforms (such as Instagram or TikTok) to directly message students for official school business, allowing only public, one-way communications on approved platforms. Schools must adopt written policies by 2026 and certify compliance by September 1, 2026, covering enforcement procedures and student device storage requirements. The law applies to all on-campus instructional time but excludes virtual schools.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts student device use during instruction and limits staff social media communication, directly limiting technology access and communication methods in classrooms.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Safety

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 309: Increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy.

SB 309 increases the property tax exemption for residential homes in Kansas from $75,000 to $150,000 of a home's appraised value, reducing the tax burden from the statewide school levy. This change directly affects Kansas homeowners whose properties are valued at or above $150,000, as it exempts the first $150,000 of their home's value from school property taxes. The bill amends existing tax law to apply this higher exemption starting in 2026 for all future taxable years. The change is limited to school levy taxes and does not affect other property tax obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax exemption for homeowners, reducing tax burden on residential properties per bill summary, aligning with tax relief support indicator.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill reduces school funding by increasing property tax exemption, decreasing revenue from school levy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2576: Establishing Erin's law to require school districts to provide a training and age-appropriate student instruction on the identification and reporting of signs of child sexual abuse.

HB 2576, known as Erin's Law, requires Kansas school districts to implement annual teacher training and age-appropriate student instruction on identifying and reporting child sexual abuse starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The law mandates that all teachers receive training covering prevention, identifying abuse signs, and reporting procedures, while all K-12 students must receive age-appropriate instruction on recognizing abuse and knowing how to report it, including resources for support. Parents or guardians may opt their children out of the student instruction. The training and instruction may use resources like the Erin's Law Foundation curriculum or other approved materials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates K-12 curriculum changes and teacher training on child abuse prevention, enhancing student safety education within school programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 383: Adding certain third parties who contract with school districts to the definition of special teacher and authorizing special education state aid reimbursement for qualified teachers who provide approved special education or related services to students with an IEP administered by such school district pursuant to a contract.

SB 383 expands the definition of "special teacher" in Kansas law to include qualified third-party providers contracted by school districts to deliver special education or related services. This change allows school districts to seek state aid reimbursement for services provided by these contracted providers to students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The bill amends statutes K.S.A. 72-3404 and 72-3422 to formally include these external service providers within the reimbursement framework. It directly affects school districts, contracted special education providers, and students with IEPs receiving services under such agreements. The policy change specifically enables state funding for contracted services that previously did not qualify for reimbursement under the existing definition.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands state aid reimbursement for contracted special ed providers, enabling school districts to access more funding for IEP services and increasing access to special education resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

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in committee · Kansas · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2486: Requiring children to be toilet trained to enroll in and attend kindergarten in any public school and providing certain exceptions thereto.

HB 2486 requires Kansas public school districts to enroll only toilet-trained kindergarten students, defined as children who can independently communicate bathroom needs, use the toilet without assistance, and manage personal hygiene after accidents. Parents must provide written assurance of toilet training during enrollment, with exceptions for children with IEPs, 504 plans, or verified medical conditions. School districts must establish policies to address non-toilet-trained students, including referrals for developmental evaluations and support resources. The bill does not apply to children who have already completed kindergarten in another state or meet age requirements.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts kindergarten enrollment to toilet-trained children, limiting educational access for non-toilet-trained children (except with IEPs, 504, or medical conditions).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education

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signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2595: Substitute for HB 2595 by Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources - Enacting the attorney training program for rural Kansas act, providing stipends to law students who meet certain requirements and agree to practice law in rural areas and providing loan forgiveness to lawyers who meet certain requirements and practice law in rural areas, coordination between the department of commerce and the office of judicial administration.

HB 2595 establishes a program offering financial assistance to Kansas-resident law students at the University of Kansas and Washburn University who commit to practicing law in rural Kansas counties (excluding Douglas, Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee, and Wyandotte). It provides stipends of up to $3,000 per school year for up to three years to cover tuition and school expenses, contingent on recipients practicing full-time in rural Kansas for 12 consecutive months per year of stipend received. The program is funded through $45,000 to $135,000 annual transfers from the state general fund over five years, with repayment required if the practice commitment is not met, including prorated amounts plus interest. The law schools administer the program, with annual reports to legislative committees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via 'transferring moneys' to establish a stipend program for rural law students, directly funding a specific initiative within state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides financial assistance (stipends) to law students at KU/Washburn for tuition, advancing higher education access and rural legal services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education Student Financial Aid