Sen. Dinah Sykes

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Kansas Legislature to end its 2026 regular session on April 10, 2026, at the conclusion of that day's meeting. It also ensures that lawmakers participating in specific April meetings for administrative rules and education funding receive standard pay and travel expenses, even though a previous law had restricted such costs. Essentially, the resolution sets a final end date for the legislative year and clarifies reimbursement rules for certain committee activities before that date.

Maddy summarySB 474 creates a regulatory framework for Kansas short-term health insurance plans, which are temporary policies lasting up to 364 days (max 36 months total) with an annual coverage limit of $2 million. It requires insurers to clearly disclose that these plans do not cover all essential health benefits mandated by the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), including pregnancy care and mental health services, and must provide written notice in bold 12-point type. The bill mandates that short-term plans cover emergency services, hospitalization, ambulatory care, and lab services, while requiring insurers to maintain provider networks meeting federal standards for access to care. Insurers cannot charge higher premiums based on health status, and the Kansas Insurance Commissioner gains authority to enforce these rules through adopted regulations.

Maddy summarySB 442 amends Kansas law to expand the criminal offense of exposing others to a life-threatening communicable disease. It specifically makes it illegal to engage in sexual intercourse or sodomy (with intent to expose), sell/donate blood or body fluids, or share needles with the intent to transmit such a disease - regardless of whether the sexual act is lawful or unlawful. Violating this law is now a severity level 7 felony, increasing penalties from the previous classification. The bill directly affects individuals who knowingly expose others through these specific actions, aiming to strengthen legal protections against disease transmission.

Maddy summarySB 443 requires landlords to have a valid legal reason (such as non-payment of rent, lease violations, or property damage) to evict residential tenants, replacing the previous "no cause" standard. It mandates that eviction petitions include the rental agreement, the notice given to the tenant, and any evidence the landlord plans to use. The bill also removes the requirement for tenants to post a bond to request a court delay (continuance) in eviction cases. These changes apply to all residential eviction lawsuits in Kansas.

Maddy summarySB 444 allows cities and counties in Kansas to conduct interior inspections of residential properties without the occupant's consent when an administrative warrant is obtained or there is clear evidence of an immediate health/safety danger. It specifically enables local governments to abate interior code violations (such as unsafe building conditions) or delegate this authority to counties, directly affecting residents in properties with such violations. The bill replaces prior requirements that always needed occupant consent for interior inspections, while maintaining due process like notice and opportunities for hearings. It does not affect commercial properties or routine inspections but focuses on health/safety emergencies and code enforcement.

Maddy summarySB 370 modifies Kansas' Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to change how rental agreements end when landlords fail to meet lease terms or health/safety requirements. It gives tenants 30 days' written notice to terminate a lease for serious landlord breaches (like unsafe conditions), but requires landlords 14 days to fix the issue before termination takes effect. If the same problem recurs after the 14-day window, tenants can terminate without further notice. The bill also clarifies that tenants cannot terminate for issues they caused and mandates landlords to return eligible security deposits after lease termination. This directly affects renters and landlords in Kansas rental housing.

Maddy summarySB 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.

Maddy summarySB 371 requires landlords in Kansas to offer tenants the right to purchase a rental property before listing it for sale to the public. It applies to residential properties (excluding buildings with four or more units) and mandates landlords to send tenants a written notice with key sale terms (like price and deadlines) at least 30 days before public listing. Tenants can submit a purchase offer within 30 days, and landlords must accept it if it matches the notice terms or provide a counteroffer within five days. If multiple tenants offer, landlords may choose the most favorable proposal. Violations are treated as consumer protection issues under Kansas law.

Maddy summarySB 369, if passed, would require Kansas landlords to provide specific written disclosures to prospective tenants before accepting any payment, including estimated rent, non-rent expenses (like utilities), unit availability dates, and tenant eligibility criteria (e.g., credit, criminal history). It also restricts late fees to no more than 5% of rent, prohibits increasing fees based on prior late payments, and mandates a minimum 5-day grace period for rent payments. Violations would release tenants from agreements without penalty and require landlords to refund all payments plus an equal penalty for disclosure breaches. This bill directly affects landlords and prospective tenants under Kansas' residential landlord-tenant law, aiming to increase transparency and limit unfair fees. The bill is currently pending committee review after introduction in January 2026.

Maddy summarySB 423 requires health insurers to count certain prescription drug payments toward a patient's deductible or out-of-pocket limit under their health insurance plan. It applies specifically to brand-name drugs without generic equivalents (or biosimilar options) or when a patient has met prior authorization, step therapy, or appeal requirements. This means patients’ payments for these drugs reduce the amount they must pay before full insurance coverage applies. The bill directly affects individuals enrolled in health benefit plans who use such prescription drugs.